First State to Ban Dynamic Pricing at Grocery Stores
Newser • • business
Key Points:
- Maryland is set to become the first state to ban dynamic pricing at large grocery stores and some delivery platforms, with the Protection from Predatory Pricing Act taking effect on October 1, 2026.
- The law prohibits using demand data and personal information such as income, family size, neighborhood, and shopping history to set individualized prices, requiring prices to remain fixed for at least one business day.
- While stores can still offer different prices through loyalty programs, critics warn this could lead to discrimination against non-members; retailers will have 45 days to fix violations before penalties apply, with fines capped at $25,000.
- Governor Wes Moore and consumer advocates view the legislation as a significant move toward protecting shoppers from unfair pricing practices, amid similar proposals being considered in states like California, Colorado, Illinois, and New Jersey.
- A Consumer Reports investigation found that identical grocery purchases made simultaneously could vary in price by as much as 23%, highlighting concerns over the fairness of dynamic pricing.
