Grocery workers union calls on newly elected Democrats to ban electronic shelf labels

• America’s largest grocery workers union is celebrating Democrats’ midterm success.
• The UFCW quickly called on lawmakers to ban surveillance pricing and electronic shelf labels.
• Large retailers have defended the tech and said they do not and will not charge personalized prices.

America’s largest grocery workers union wants Dems to keep food prices fair and grocery workers in stores.

The United Food and Commercial Workers union, which represents more than 1.2 million people, issued a statement celebrating victories of labor-backed candidates across the US in this year’s midterm elections. It also called on politicians to enact legislation to keep digital price tags and personalized pricing out of grocery stores in order to address affordability concerns and preserve jobs.

“Lawmakers should ban surveillance pricing and electronic shelf labels in grocery stores, so that shoppers are safe from corporate price gouging,” UFCW president Milton Jones said in the statement.

The tech has come under fire this year as retailers like Walmart and Kroger continue to replace printed price tags with digital versions that can be updated remotely.

“Consumers deserve to know whether companies use their web surfing habits or other personal data to estimate the highest price they can charge each consumer,” FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson said.

Some states have taken action against the practices. New Jersey banned surveillance pricing and put a one-year moratorium on electronic labels earlier this year. Maryland requires retailers to lock in prices for at least one business day.

Retailers have defended the tools, saying they simplify a labor-intensive process and improve accuracy, and that their pricing has been and will remain fair and transparent.

Walmart and Target each issued statements last month that said they do not use personal information to charge shoppers a higher price, and that they will not in the future either. Both chains still offer personalized discounts through promotions and membership programs.

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