Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Prices - are they actually lower than a year ago? I'll check the latest inflation and retail data to find out.

No — on average, prices in stores are still higher than a year ago, not lower. Inflation has slowed, but it is still positive.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for September 2026 released October 14, 2026:

•Consumer prices were 3.7% higher in September than a year earlier

•The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 0.6 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.7 percent over the year, not seasonally adjusted

•Core inflation, all items less food and energy, rose 0.3 percent in September, up 2.6 percent over the year

For groceries specifically:

•Food at home: +1.8% annually

•All food: +2.5% annually, with Food at home: −0.1% monthly, +1.8% annually

•U.S. grocery inflation fell to 1.8% in September 2026, from 2.2% in August — meaning prices rose more slowly, not that they fell year-over-year.

As the report notes:

> A lower annual inflation rate is not the same as cheaper groceries than a year ago. Average food-at-home prices remained 1.8% above September 2025 despite the monthly decline.

Are any store categories cheaper than a year ago?

Yes, a few categories did decline year-over-year in September 2026, which can make it feel like some store prices are lower:

•Dairy and related products | -0.7% - dairy was −0.9% monthly, −0.7% annually; milk −2.0% monthly

•Used cars and trucks | -1.5%

•Medical care commodities | -3.3%

•Motor vehicle insurance | -5.0%

And some retailers have promoted cuts - for example ALDI stated that with its fall price investments nearly one-third of the everyday in-store assortment is priced lower than last year

But for the overall basket, prices are up:

•Food away from home +3.5%

•Energy +20.4%, Gasoline +34.2%

•Shelter +3.2%

Citations (3)

1bls.govGovernment
Consumer Price Index (CPI) News Release
Backs: “Bureau of Labor Statistics data for September 2026 released October 14, 2026: Consumer prices were 3.7% higher in September than a year earlier. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 0.6 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.7 percent over the year, not seasonally adjusted”
2bls.govGovernment
12-month percentage change, Consumer Price Index, selected categories
Backs: “Core inflation, all items less food and energy, rose 0.3 percent in September, up 2.6 percent over the year”
3grocerytradenews.comNews and media
US Grocery Inflation September 2026: Down to 1.8%
Backs: “Core inflation, all items less food and energy, rose 0.3 percent in September, up 2.6 percent over the year. For groceries specifically: Food at home: +1.8% annually”