Justice at the Register: Stop Grocery Price Gouging Now!

In the shadow of rising food insecurity and soaring grocery costs, Rep. Rashida Tlaib has introduced H.R. 4966, the Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act. This bill would halt grocery chains from exploiting shoppers using surveillance-driven dynamic pricing and electronic shelf labels. It bans manipulation through personal data, facial recognition, and real-time price tags, while empowering the FTC to enforce accountability. This is our moment to pressure Congress to pass it—including before the House votes later this fall.

Since 2020, grocery prices have jumped more than 28 percent, while nearly 47 million Americans, including 7 million children, remain food insecure. Retailers are already experimenting with electronic shelf labels that raise water prices on hot days and apps that charge more based on shopping history. These practices disproportionately hurt Black and brown communities, deepening inequality and forcing struggling families to pay more for basic necessities.

Labor organizations and consumer advocates have sounded the alarm that this technology allows retailers to adjust prices in ways that undermine fairness and transparency. Instead of protecting communities, algorithms are being used to maximize profits at the expense of working families.

We need pressure now: urge your representatives—especially those on the House Energy & Commerce and Judiciary Committees—to support H.R. 4966. Demand a vote before the end of the congressional session. Hold big grocers and the FTC accountable. Public pressure is our most powerful tool.

Together, we can shut down algorithmic price-gouging and demand fair, transparent pricing.