Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
[1]No, prices in stores are generally not lower compared to a year ago (as of the latest data around September/October 2026). Overall consumer prices and most retail/goods categories are higher, though the increases for many store items are modest, some specific items have declined, and inflation has moderated from post-pandemic peaks.[2]
Latest U.S. CPI Overview (September 2026)
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all items rose 3.7% year-over-year (and 0.6% month-over-month), up from 3.4% the prior month. This was driven heavily by energy, but core prices (excluding food and energy) were also up.[3]
Key store-relevant categories (year-over-year changes):
Items that declined (examples):
Other notes: Fruits/vegetables and nonalcoholic beverages were up around 3.7–3.8%; meats/poultry/fish/eggs were nearly flat (+0.3%).[4]
Context and Trends
In short: Shoppers are not broadly seeing lower shelf prices than a year ago. Many everyday store items cost about the same or a bit more (with groceries up modestly), while energy-related costs are sharply higher and a minority of categories (like used cars or certain dairy/medical items) are cheaper. Experiences vary by location, specific products, promotions/discounts, and shopping habits (e.g., private-label vs. name brands). Official CPI data from the BLS is the standard measure; individual store baskets can differ. For the most current figures, check the latest BLS CPI release.
Citations (9)
- https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2025/consumer-price-index-2024-in-review.htm
Backs: “[[1]](https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2025/consumer-price-index-2024-in-review.htm)”
- https://www.bls.gov/cpi/
Backs: “Overall consumer prices and most retail/goods categories are higher, though the increases for many store items are modest, some specific items have declined, and inflation has moderated from post-pandemic peaks.”
- https://www.businessinsider.com/cpi-inflation-september-consumer-price-index-2026-10
Backs: “This was driven heavily by energy, but core prices (excluding food and energy) were also up.”
- https://www.bls.gov/news.release/charts/cpi-cpi_rc_1cpibycat.stm
Backs: “Food at home (groceries): +1.8%.”
- https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.t01.htm
Backs: “Commodities less food and energy (core goods like apparel, household items, vehicles excluding energy/food): +0.7%.”
- https://economics.td.com/us-cpi?linkId=160583551
Backs: “Core goods have seen relatively mild inflation recently (around 0.7% YoY), with some monthly firming (e.g., +0.3% in September, partly from used vehicles, recreation goods, and apparel). This is much cooler than services or energy.”
- https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/article/inflation-is-retreating-from-most-of-the-store--why-your-biggest-bills-are-the-holdouts-chart-of-the-day-113303438.html
Backs: “Grocery inflation has been subdued compared to earlier years (near or below 2% recently for food at home), but prices remain elevated versus pre-pandemic levels.”
- https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2024/12/18/2024-was-the-year-of-discounts-price-cuts-and-more-affordable-assortments
Backs: “That dynamic was less dominant in the latest 2026 data, which shows modest positive inflation for core goods amid other pressures (including energy and potential tariff/pass-through effects in some categories).”
- https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CARTSPY
Backs: “Broader retail price indexes (e.g., Chicago Fed measures) have also shown positive YoY changes.”