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GPT-5Oct 3, 2026openai/gpt-5-2025-08-07
Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
Short answer: mostly no.
•Overall U.S. consumer prices were up 3.4% in August 2026 versus August 2025 (latest BLS data), not lower.[1]
•“In‑store” categories:
•Groceries (food at home): up 2.2% year over year.[1]
•Core goods typically bought in stores (commodities less food & energy): up 0.7% year over year—nearly flat but not down overall.[1]
•Some specific items are cheaper, e.g., used cars and trucks: down 2.3% year over year; dairy: down 0.3%.[1]
If you’re asking about a particular type of store or product (e.g., groceries vs. clothing), tell me which and I’ll pull the latest category numbers. The next CPI release (for September 2026) is scheduled for October 14, 2026.[1]
Citations (1)
- Consumer Price Index News Release - 2026 M08 Results
Backs: “Overall U.S. consumer prices were up 3.4% in August 2026 versus August 2025 (latest BLS data), not lower.”