Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Are prices down from last year? I'll check the latest year-over-year inflation data to find out.

No - overall prices in stores are higher than a year ago, though the rate of increase has slowed and some specific items/stores are lower.

•U.S. inflation is still positive year-over-year:

•Prices paid by U.S. consumers rose 0.4% in August and the headline annual inflation rate held at 3.4% for the 12 months ending in August

•The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index increased 3.0% in September from year-ago levels - CPI rose 0.3% month over month in September after rising 0.4% in August

•For grocery / food at home specifically:

•Food prices rose 0.1% in August for a second month in a row. Grocery store prices were unchanged after declining 0.1% in July

•Over the past year, overall food prices advanced 2.7%, down from 3.0% in July. Grocery prices rose 2.2%, down from 2.7%

•In September: Food prices increased 0.2% in September after increasing 0.5% in August. Grocery prices rose 0.3%

•Forecast: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is predicting that grocery prices will rise approximately 1.7% in 2026

A slower inflation rate does not mean falling prices - prices are just climbing at a more gradual pace.

•Exceptions where some prices are lower than last year:

•At ALDI: Nearly one-third of products on ALDI shelves every day are now priced lower than they were last year - With the addition of the lower prices, nearly one-third of the everyday in-store assortment at ALDI is priced lower than last year

•Example: Honeycrisp apples are priced at $1.99 per pound, 35% lower than last year

•Some individual groceries: Prices have also fallen year over year for the following items: • Butter (-8.1%)

•Some non-food store items: Used car and truck prices increased 0.4% in August for a second straight month but remained 2.3% lower than a year earlier

Citations (3)

1usinflationcalculator.comData and tools
US CPI August 2026: Inflation Picks Up as Gas Prices Surge
Backs: “No - overall prices in stores are higher than a year ago, though the rate of increase has slowed and some specific items/stores are lower. U.S. inflation is still positive year-over-year:”
2morningstar.comData and tools
Long-Awaited CPI Report Shows September Inflation at a Lower-Than-Expected 3.0% Annual Rate
Backs: “consumers rose 0.4% in August and the headline annual inflation rate held at 3.4% for the 12 months ending in August. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index increased 3.0% in September from year-ago levels - CPI rose 0.3% month over month in September after rising 0.4% in August”
3prnewswire.comNews and mediaquality 0.75
ALDI Invests in Even Lower Prices this Fall, Offering U.S. Shoppers $86 Million in Savings
Backs: “A slower inflation rate does not mean falling prices - prices are just climbing at a more gradual pace. Exceptions where some prices are lower than last year: At ALDI: Nearly one-third of products on ALDI shelves every day are now priced lower than they were last year - With the addition of the lower prices, nearly…”