Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
On average, no, prices in stores are not lower compared to a year ago.
While the extreme inflation of previous years has cooled, we are experiencing disinflation (prices rising at a slower rate) rather than deflation (prices actually falling). According to the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI), overall consumer prices are about 3.4% higher compared to the same period last year.
However, price changes are highly uneven depending on what you are shopping for. Here is a breakdown of what is cheaper, what is more expensive, and why:
1. Groceries (Food-at-Home)
Supermarket prices are about 2.2% to 2.7% higher overall than they were a year ago.
2. Apparel and Retail Goods
If you are shopping for clothes, you will likely notice higher price tags. Apparel prices are roughly 3.4% higher than they were a year ago. Retail analysts note that while holiday shopping numbers are hitting record highs in dollar terms, more than half of that growth is driven by these higher price tags rather than people buying more physical items.
3. Electronics
For decades, consumers could count on electronics (laptops, phones, and tablets) getting cheaper year over year. However, that trend has reversed:
Summary
While you will find a few specific bargains in the aisles—most notably eggs and certain dairy items—your overall receipt at checkout for groceries, clothing, and electronics will be higher than it was a year ago.
Citations (11)
- winneram.com
Backs: “While the extreme inflation of previous years has cooled, we are experiencing disinflation (prices rising at a slower rate) rather than deflation (prices actually falling).”
- senate.gov
Backs: “According to the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI), overall consumer prices are about 3.4% higher compared to the same period last year.”
- bls.gov
Backs: “According to the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI), overall consumer prices are about 3.4% higher compared to the same period last year.”
- usda.gov
Backs: “Groceries (Food-at-Home). Supermarket prices are about 2.2% to 2.7% higher overall than they were a year ago.”
- betterreport.com
Backs: “What is cheaper: The most significant relief at the grocery store is eggs, which have dropped roughly 25% to 30% in price compared to their record highs during the avian flu outbreaks of 2025.”
- grocerytradenews.com
Backs: “What is more expensive: Beef and veal prices are up significantly—roughly 15% higher than last year due to tighter U.S. cattle supplies. Other everyday staples like apples, tomatoes, and coffee have also seen double-digit percentage hikes.”
- supermarketnews.com
Backs: “What is more expensive: Beef and veal prices are up significantly—roughly 15% higher than last year due to tighter U.S. cattle supplies. Other everyday staples like apples, tomatoes, and coffee have also seen double-digit percentage hikes.”
- in2013dollars.com
Backs: “Apparel prices are roughly 3.4% higher than they were a year ago. Retail analysts note that while holiday shopping numbers are hitting record highs in dollar terms, more than half of that growth is driven by these higher price tags rather than people buying more physical items.”
- qz.com
Backs: “Retail analysts note that while holiday shopping numbers are hitting record highs in dollar terms, more than half of that growth is driven by these higher price tags rather than people buying more physical items.”
- substack.com
Backs: “Electronics. For decades, consumers could count on electronics (laptops, phones, and tablets) getting cheaper year over year. However, that trend has reversed:”
- accuristech.com
Backs: “This has forced consumer electronics manufacturers to pay drastically more for components, pushing the prices of tablets, laptops, and smartphones up by as much as 4% to 8% compared to last year.”