Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
Short answer: mostly no.
There are exceptions by item—e.g., egg prices are down roughly 20% from a year ago—but the overall basket most shoppers see in stores isn’t lower than last year.[4]
If you tell me which categories you care about (groceries, clothing, electronics, etc.), I can pull the latest specifics.
Citations (4)
- Consumer Price Index News Release - 2026 M09 Results
Backs: “The September 2026 CPI (released October 14) shows headline inflation at 3.7% year over year.”
statistic, official document, points to no. Claim: September 2026 CPI shows headline inflation at 3.7% year over year, so overall consumer prices are higher than a year ago.
- Food Price Outlook - Summary Findings | Economic Research Service
Backs: “Grocery prices (“food at home”) are up about 1.8% versus September 2025.”
statistic, data page, points to no. Claim: Grocery prices (food at home) are up about 1.8% versus September 2025.
- Consumer Price Index - September 2026
Backs: “Non‑food retail goods (“commodities less food and energy”) are roughly flat to a bit higher, up about 0.7% year over year.”
statistic, official document, points to no. Claim: Non-food retail goods (commodities less food and energy) are up about 0.7% year over year.
- Grocery prices mostly flat for September: Here’s how key household items changed
Backs: “There are exceptions by item—e.g., egg prices are down roughly 20% from a year ago—but the overall basket most shoppers see in stores isn’t lower than last year.”
evidence, article, points to yes. Claim: Some items, such as eggs, are down roughly 20% from a year ago, though the overall basket isn't lower.