Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Are prices down from last year? I'll check current inflation and store price trends.

No, overall prices in stores are still higher than a year ago - inflation has slowed but not reversed into deflation.

•U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% month-over-month in August, while the year-over-year rate held steady at 3.4%

•The Consumer Price Index increased 0.4 percent in August on a seasonally adjusted basis after a 0.1 percent rise in July. Over the past 12 months, prices were up 3.4 percent

•Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.3% month-over-month and 2.4% year-over-year

•For everyday household purchases, prices are up 1.8% versus a year ago

•Over the past 12 months, prices for everyday household purchases are up 1.8%

•Grocery-specific inflation is also still positive:

•Grocery price growth slowed to 2.8% year-over-year in August 2026 from 3.1% in July, falling below the all-items CPI for the first time since July 2024

•Prices are still 29.0% higher than in August 2021, so a slower rate of increase is not the same as prices coming down

•USDA forecasts for 2026 still predict increases, not decreases:

•Food-at-home prices are predicted to rise 2.5% in 2026, though the pace of growth will remain below the 20-year average

•Other USDA outlook: Food at home prices: +2.3% in 2026

That means disinflation - prices rising more slowly - not deflation where prices fall.

Exceptions exist for some categories and some retailers:

•Prices for eggs and dairy products, which are actually expected to deflate this year, by 22.2% and 0.9% respectively, according to the USDA

•Only eggs are predicted to see prices decline this year

•Prices for eggs, dairy products and pork are expected to be less than what they were in 2025

•At one national chain, ALDI: With the addition of the lower prices, nearly one-third of the everyday in-store assortment at ALDI is priced lower than last year

So while you may find some individual items cheaper than a year ago, the average basket in stores costs about 2-3.5% more than a year ago.

Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

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