Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Prices a year ago vs. today — I'll pull the latest year-over-year inflation data to check what's actually down.

No, overall prices in stores are not lower than a year ago - they are higher, though inflation has slowed and some specific items/categories are cheaper.

Overall U.S. Consumer Price Index:

•The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.6 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in September after rising 0.4 percent in August

•Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.7 percent before seasonal adjustment

•In September, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 0.6 percent, seasonally adjusted (SA), and rose 3.7 percent over the year, not seasonally adjusted (NSA)

Food / grocery:

•The food index increased 2.5 percent over the last year

•The food at home index rose 1.8 percent over the 12 months ending in September

•Table shows Food at home 1.8% for 12-mos ended Sep. 2026

•In September 2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported grocery prices 1.8% higher than twelve months earlier

•US grocery inflation fell to 1.8% in September 2026, from 2.2% in August, as food-at-home prices declined 0.1% during the month

•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

•The index for food was unchanged in September, as the index for food at home fell 0.1 percent

That means prices fell slightly month-over-month in September, but are still higher year-over-year.

Other measures:

•In August, prices for everyday goods are up 2.2% versus a year ago, down from 2.6% in July

Exceptions - some categories and some retailers are cheaper:

•The dairy and related products index fell 0.7 percent over the year

•Used cars and trucks index -1.5% over 12 months

•Medical care commodities -3.3% over 12 months

Retailer-specific promotions:

•Nearly one-third of products on ALDI shelves every day are now priced lower than they were last year

•Starting today, ALDI is helping shoppers ... nearly one-third of the everyday in-store assortment at ALDI is priced lower than last year

•Newly reduced items include Autumncrisp grapes, Bartlett pears, Brussels sprouts ... Honeycrisp apples are priced at $1.99 for a two-pound bag, 35% lower than last year and their lowest everyday price in more than five years

In short: Average store prices are about 1.8% higher for groceries and 3.7% higher overall than September 2025. The monthly dip (-0.1% for food at home) made prices slightly cheaper than August, but not cheaper than a year ago, except for selected products and promotions.

Citations (3)

1bls.govGovernment
Consumer Price Index Summary
Backs: “No, overall prices in stores are not lower than a year ago - they are higher, though inflation has slowed and some specific items/categories are cheaper. Overall U.S. Consumer Price Index: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.6 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in September after…”
2bls.govGovernment
CPI Home : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Backs: “The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.6 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in September after rising 0.4 percent in August. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.7 percent before seasonal adjustment. In September, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers…”
3aldi.usCompanies
ALDI Invests in Even Lower Prices this Fall
Backs: “Used cars and trucks index -1.5% over 12 months. Medical care commodities -3.3% over 12 months. Retailer-specific promotions:”