Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
On average, no, prices in stores are not lower than they were a year ago. Instead, they are still rising, though at a much slower pace than in previous years.
To understand why it might feel like prices should be lower, it helps to look at the difference between disinflation and deflation, alongside the actual price changes on store shelves.
1. Disinflation vs. Deflation
The rate of inflation has cooled significantly from its peak. However, a slowing inflation rate is disinflation—meaning prices are still going up, just not as fast as before.
For prices in stores to actually be lower than a year ago, the economy would need to experience deflation (a negative inflation rate), which is not happening on a broad scale.
2. What is actually cheaper than a year ago?
While the average shopping basket is more expensive, supply chain corrections and aggressive corporate competition have led to actual price drops (deflation) in a few specific categories:
3. What is still getting more expensive?
The reason grocery bills still feel incredibly high is that a few heavy-hitting staple categories continue to see sharp price increases, offsetting any minor savings elsewhere:
Summary
While you might find relief on specific items like dairy, frozen vegetables, or value-brand cleaning supplies, your total receipt at the checkout counter is still higher on average than it was a year ago.
Citations (14)
- summitplate.com
Backs: “On average, no, prices in stores are not lower than they were a year ago. Instead, they are still rising, though at a much slower pace than in previous years.”
- qz.com
Backs: “On average, no, prices in stores are not lower than they were a year ago. Instead, they are still rising, though at a much slower pace than in previous years.”
- consumeraffairs.com
Backs: “On average, no, prices in stores are not lower than they were a year ago. Instead, they are still rising, though at a much slower pace than in previous years.”
- ncoa.org
Backs: “For prices in stores to actually be lower than a year ago, the economy would need to experience deflation (a negative inflation rate), which is not happening on a broad scale.”
- in2013dollars.com
Backs: “For prices in stores to actually be lower than a year ago, the economy would need to experience deflation (a negative inflation rate), which is not happening on a broad scale.”
- kiplinger.com
Backs: “Overall Consumer Prices: As of late 2026, the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows that overall prices are roughly 3.4% to 3.6% higher than they were at the same time last year. Grocery Prices (Food-at-Home): If you are looking specifically at supermarkets, average grocery prices are about 1.9% to 2.2% higher than…”
- tradingeconomics.com
Backs: “Overall Consumer Prices: As of late 2026, the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows that overall prices are roughly 3.4% to 3.6% higher than they were at the same time last year. Grocery Prices (Food-at-Home): If you are looking specifically at supermarkets, average grocery prices are about 1.9% to 2.2% higher than…”
- catalina.com
Backs: “Grocery Prices (Food-at-Home): If you are looking specifically at supermarkets, average grocery prices are about 1.9% to 2.2% higher than they were a year ago.”
- youtube.com
Backs: “While the average shopping basket is more expensive, supply chain corrections and aggressive corporate competition have led to actual price drops (deflation) in a few specific categories:”
- youtube.com
Backs: “Value-Brand Household Goods: As shoppers have increasingly pulled back on discretionary spending, brands have begun competing heavily on price. For example, laundry soaps and detergents have slipped into deflationary territory, with value-tier laundry detergents dropping by more than 8%.”
- usda.gov
Backs: “Fresh Produce & Vegetables: Depending on the season and local yields, some fresh vegetables have seen double-digit price drops mid-year compared to the prior year's spikes.”
- form.com
Backs: “The reason grocery bills still feel incredibly high is that a few heavy-hitting staple categories continue to see sharp price increases, offsetting any minor savings elsewhere:”
- aarp.org
Backs: “Beef and Veal: Due to a historically low U.S. cattle herd, beef prices remain exceptionally high, up nearly 6% year-over-year. Dining Out: If you are buying food from restaurants rather than the grocery store, prices are about 3.4% to 3.5% higher than last year.”
- usda.gov
Backs: “Dining Out: If you are buying food from restaurants rather than the grocery store, prices are about 3.4% to 3.5% higher than last year.”