Gemini 3.5 FlashOct 2411 citations
Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
No, on average, prices in stores are not lower than they were a year ago.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) through September 2026, the overall annual inflation rate is 3.7%, meaning that general consumer prices continue to rise rather than fall.
However, price trends vary heavily depending on the specific department of the store:
1. In the Grocery Aisles (Food