Prices for everyday household purchases increased 0.47 percent in May, following a 0.43 percent rise in April, and are now up 2.9 percent versus a year ago – the largest year‑over‑year increase in more than two years, according to the Numerator Consumer Goods Price Index (CGPI).
“May marks a notable convergence of trends: Prices for everyday goods saw their largest year‑over‑year increase in more than two years, while consumer concern about rising prices reached a record high since Numerator began tracking consumer sentiment in January 2024,” said Paul Stanley, senior economist at Numerator.
“While prices can be volatile month over month, consecutive months of acceleration suggest this may not be temporary. Cost pressures are building across everyday goods and placing the greatest strain on low‑ and middle‑income households, a disparity that is unlikely to ease while gas and energy prices remain elevated.”
Low‑income and Gen Z consumers continue to experience higher inflation for everyday goods. Since January 2018, prices for those groups have increased 34.9 percent and 38.2 percent, respectively, compared with the 32.9 percent national average. High‑income households have seen just 0.4 percent inflation since February 2026, versus 1.0 percent for low‑income and 1.1 percent for middle‑income households. Consumers in the South census region have faced the highest inflation since 2018.
About Numerator
Numerator provides consumer data and insights across grocery, retail and consumer goods categories. Its CGPI has a 0.93 correlation with the PCE Food and Beverage index since 2019.