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. Overall consumer prices have continued to rise over the past year, although some specific categories have stabilized or experienced mild dips.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of September 2026, the overall Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) increased by 3.7% over the previous 12 months. This means that, on average, a basket of goods and services is more expensive today than it was in late 2025.
A category-by-category breakdown of how retail prices compare to a year ago reveals the following trends:
1. Groceries (Food at Home)
Overall, grocery store prices are 1.8% higher than they were a year ago. However, groceries are a mixed bag with some categories seeing price relief while others continue to rise:
2. Apparel (Clothing)
If you are shopping for clothes, you will likely pay more than last year. The Consumer Price Index for apparel has risen by 3.4% to 3.6% year-over-year. This increase is largely driven by rising shipping costs, labor, and the impact of tariffs on imported goods.
3. Consumer Electronics and Tech
Tech and gadget prices have seen some of the most dramatic increases over the past year. Due to a massive global memory chip shortage (frequently referred to as "RAMageddon")—which was triggered by the artificial intelligence industry soaking up the vast majority of the world's microchip supply—consumers are facing steep price hikes. Laptops, smartphones, and gaming consoles are seeing price increases of 20% to 30% compared to mid-2025 models, or are experiencing "shrinkflation" where base storage/RAM specs are being downgraded for the same price.
4. Cars and Vehicles
Automotive prices have stabilized somewhat compared to the wild fluctuations of previous years, but they are still higher than they were a year ago:
5. Gasoline
Energy costs have seen some of the steepest annual increases, with retail gasoline prices up roughly 34% compared to a year ago, heavily squeezing consumer budgets.
Summary
While grocery inflation has cooled off to a more manageable 1.8% annual rate and specific items like milk are cheaper, retail prices as a whole—especially for clothing, electronics, cars, and gas—remain higher than they were a year ago.
Citations (16)
- in2013dollars.com
Backs: “On average, no, prices in stores are not lower than they were a year ago. Overall consumer prices have continued to rise over the past year, although some specific categories have stabilized or experienced mild dips.”
- bls.gov
Backs: “On average, no, prices in stores are not lower than they were a year ago. Overall consumer prices have continued to rise over the past year, although some specific categories have stabilized or experienced mild dips.”
- grocerytradenews.com
Backs: “On average, no, prices in stores are not lower than they were a year ago. Overall consumer prices have continued to rise over the past year, although some specific categories have stabilized or experienced mild dips.”
- usda.gov
Backs: “Non-alcoholic beverages (like carbonated drinks, coffee, and tea) have also seen a sharp jump, up 3.8% year-over-year.”
- businessoffashion.com
Backs: “Apparel (Clothing). If you are shopping for clothes, you will likely pay more than last year.”
- ycharts.com
Backs: “The Consumer Price Index for apparel has risen by 3.4% to 3.6% year-over-year.”
- youtube.com
Backs: “The Consumer Price Index for apparel has risen by 3.4% to 3.6% year-over-year.”
- shenglufashion.com
Backs: “This increase is largely driven by rising shipping costs, labor, and the impact of tariffs on imported goods.”
- mashable.com
Backs: “Consumer Electronics and Tech. Tech and gadget prices have seen some of the most dramatic increases over the past year.”
- techradar.com
Backs: “Consumer Electronics and Tech. Tech and gadget prices have seen some of the most dramatic increases over the past year.”
- coxautoinc.com
Backs: “Cars and Vehicles. Automotive prices have stabilized somewhat compared to the wild fluctuations of previous years, but they are still higher than they were a year ago: New Cars: The average transaction price for a new vehicle is up roughly 0.7% to 1.9% year-over-year, hovering near historical highs.”
- cityofcars.com
Backs: “Cars and Vehicles. Automotive prices have stabilized somewhat compared to the wild fluctuations of previous years, but they are still higher than they were a year ago: New Cars: The average transaction price for a new vehicle is up roughly 0.7% to 1.9% year-over-year, hovering near historical highs.”
- kbb.com
Backs: “Cars and Vehicles. Automotive prices have stabilized somewhat compared to the wild fluctuations of previous years, but they are still higher than they were a year ago: New Cars: The average transaction price for a new vehicle is up roughly 0.7% to 1.9% year-over-year, hovering near historical highs. Used Cars:…”
- totallossappraisals.com
Backs: “Used Cars: Wholesale and retail used car prices remain stubbornly high. Due to tight inventory and high demand, average used car prices are about 2% higher than a year ago, with the shortage of affordable vehicles under $15,000 being particularly severe.”
- youtube.com
Backs: “Due to tight inventory and high demand, average used car prices are about 2% higher than a year ago, with the shortage of affordable vehicles under $15,000 being particularly severe. 5.”
- theshelbyreport.com
Backs: “Gasoline. Energy costs have seen some of the steepest annual increases, with retail gasoline prices up roughly 34% compared to a year ago, heavily squeezing consumer budgets. Summary”