Consumers are tired of inflation. But some retailers fear falling prices

Key Points

• As shoppers await price cuts, retailers like Home Depot say their prices have stabilized and some national consumer brands have paused price increases or announced more modest ones.
• Yet some industry watchers predict deflation for food at home later this year.
• Falling prices could bring new challenges for retailers, such as pressure to drive more volume or look for ways to cover fixed costs, such as higher employee wages.