Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Short answer: No. On average, prices are still higher than a year ago.

Details (latest available data):

•Overall consumer prices were up 3.4% year over year in August 2026.

•Grocery prices (“food at home”) were up 2.2% versus August 2025.

•Some categories fell (e.g., dairy −0.3%, used cars −2.3%), but others rose, including shelter (+3.0%) and gasoline (+27.4%). The next CPI update (covering September 2026) is due October 14, 2026.[1]

If you had a specific type of store or product in mind, tell me which and I can check that category.

Citations (1)

1bls.govGovernment
Consumer Price Index News Release - 2026 M08 Results
Backs: “The next CPI update (covering September 2026) is due October 14, 2026.”