Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Based on the latest data (as of October 2026), the picture is mixed — overall, prices in stores are generally not lower than a year ago, though inflation has slowed and some specific items have gotten cheaper.

Overall Inflation

In the U.S., the average price of food in the United States rose by 2.5% in the 12 months ending September, after posting an annual increase of 2.7% for August, according to the latest inflation data published October 14, 2026, by the U.S. Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). So grocery prices overall are still higher than a year ago, just rising more slowly than during the peak inflation period.

Monthly data shows some recent relief: grocery prices dropped 0.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis last month, leaving them 1.8% higher than a year earlier, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released on Wednesday showed.

What's Gotten Cheaper vs. More Expensive

It's a very mixed bag depending on the item:

Cheaper than a year ago:

More expensive than a year ago:

Longer-Term Context

Even where year-over-year inflation has cooled, prices haven't returned to pre-pandemic levels. Groceries cost about 33% more than in 2019, driving consumers to buy less, switch to cheaper brands and hunt for deals. This has led to real changes in shopper behavior: grocery units, which refer to individual items or products sold, fell 1.8% in June from a year earlier, a sharp reversal from the 0.1% year-over-year growth recorded in June 2025, as prices continue to rise about 2% to 3% year-over-year, that inflation cushion for the industry is no longer enough to keep overall sales growing.

In the UK

The trend looks somewhat more favorable, with overall shop prices rising more slowly than a year ago. Shop price inflation decreased to 1.4% year on year in September, against growth of 1.5% in August, according to the BRC-NIQ Shop Price Monitor, which is above the 3-month average of 1.3%. Retail industry leaders note that many retailers have maintained promotions, and some have introduced price cuts to help drive demand, all of which is helping to keep inflation lower than a year ago — though this refers to the rate of inflation slowing, not prices actually falling.

Bottom line: Prices are generally still higher than a year ago overall, but the pace of increase has slowed significantly compared to the inflation spikes of 2022. Some specific items (notably eggs, and some meats/bread) are genuinely cheaper, while others (especially beef and coffee) remain significantly more expensive.