As published by The Shelby Report : The Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) is challenging public comments by Gov. Wes Moore regarding so-called “predatory pricing” in grocery stores, arguing his characterization has created confusion about the law and scope of newly signed legislation. The pushback follows Moore’s signing April 28 of the Protection From Predatory Pricing Act, which made Maryland the first state to ban price manipulation practices driven by surveillance data. Disputing description In describing the issue, Moore stated that two people could be charged different prices for the same item based on personal data – a characterization that the MRA noted is inaccurate under state law. The alliance stated that such practices are already prohibited under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, which clearly defines unfair or deceptive trade practices – including misleading or discriminatory pricing – as illegal. Any retailer engaging in the conduct described is subject to pre-existing enforcement action. The alliance also emphasized that the newly enacted Protection From Predatory Pricing Act does not address or prohibit individualized grocery pricing as Moore described it. Suggesting otherwise, it said, misrepresents the scope and legal effect of the legislation. Economic realities The industry response also pointed to the highly competitive nature of the grocery sector as a check on the kind of pricing practices Moore described. Grocery stores operate within one of the most competitive sectors of the economy, typically sustaining profit margins of 1 to 3 percent. The alliance said this environment benefits consumers by keeping prices low and limiting the ability of any single retailer to artificially inflate prices without losing business. The notion that widespread, individualized price gouging could occur in such a market is inconsistent with the economic realities, the group said. The alliance further noted that the Maryland Office of the Attorney General has no record of substantiated complaints indicating a pattern of grocery stores engaging in unlawful predatory pricing increases. Other industries The alliance contends that policy discussions about individualized or dynamic pricing models would be more appropriately focused on other industries. Sectors such as third-party delivery platforms, hotels, rideshare apps and airlines have long relied on variable pricing based on demand, timing and consumer data. These sectors are where such pricing practices are most prevalent. Call for accuracy The alliance closed its statement with a call for clearer communication from public officials about consumer protection laws. “Accurate public communication about consumer protection laws is essential. Maryland residents deserve clarity about their rights and confidence that existing laws already safeguard them from unfair and deceptive practices,” the group said. It urged public officials to ensure that statements regarding consumer protection and pricing practices reflect the law as written and enforced. Click here to read the article on The Shelby Report .

As published by The Center Square : Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has signed hundreds of bills into law following the 2026 legislative session, approving measures tied to grocery pricing practices, voting rights, public safety and financial regulations. Among the measures signed this spring is the Protection From Predatory Pricing Act. The governor’s office said it is intended to limit certain pricing practices tied to consumer data. The law applies to some large food retailers and third-party delivery platforms and covers certain tax-exempt food items. Moore’s office said the measure makes Maryland the first state in the country to restrict some forms of what it describes as surveillance-based pricing practices in the food retail sector. Moore also signed the Voting Rights Act of 2026, Senate Bill 255, which authorizes legal action against local voting practices alleged to dilute the votes of protected groups. The legislation was backed by the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland and voting rights advocacy organizations, including the Legal Defense Fund. Other bills signed include House Bill 284, which requires licensed firearm dealers to notify the Secretary of State Police within 24 hours if they become aware certain security features have been compromised or if certain crimes occur involving firearms. Moore also signed additional requirements tied to Maryland’s Ignition Interlock System Program for some drivers convicted of alcohol-related offenses under House Bill 286. Under the law, certain individuals with suspended or revoked licenses tied to alcohol violations will be required to use a breathalyzer device connected to their vehicle before it can start. Moore also signed Senate Bill 94 regulating earned wage access providers, companies that allow workers to access earned wages before payday. The governor’s office said the measure makes Maryland the first state in the nation to prohibit providers from requesting tips on those products. The grocery pricing measure drew debate during the legislative process. The Maryland Retailers Alliance said existing Maryland consumer protection laws already prohibit deceptive or discriminatory pricing practices. The group also said the new law does not ban individualized grocery pricing as described by supporters. Consumer Reports, meanwhile, said the final version of the law contained loopholes and weak enforcement provisions, while still supporting the broader effort to limit what it described as surveillance pricing practices. Several of the measures, including the grocery pricing law, take effect Oct. 1.  Click here to read the article on The Center Square .

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Recent public comments by Governor Wes Moore regarding so-called “predatory pricing” in grocery stores have created confusion about both existing law and the scope of newly signed legislation. In describing the issue, Governor Moore stated that two individuals could be charged different prices for the same item based on personal data. This characterization is inaccurate under current Maryland law. Such practices are already prohibited under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, which clearly defines unfair or deceptive trade practices including misleading or discriminatory pricing as illegal. Any retailer engaging in the conduct described would already be subject to pre-existing enforcement action. Importantly, the newly enacted “Protection from Predatory Pricing Act” does not address or prohibit individualized grocery pricing as described. Suggesting otherwise misrepresents both the scope and the legal effect of the legislation. Grocery stores also operate within one of the most competitive sectors of the economy, typically sustaining profit margins of just 1–3 percent. This highly competitive environment benefits consumers by keeping prices low and limiting the ability of any single retailer to artificially inflate prices without losing business. The notion that widespread, individualized price gouging could occur in such a market is inconsistent with the economic realities of the industry. Further, even prior to this law the Maryland Office of the Attorney General has no record of substantiated complaints indicating a pattern of grocery stores engaging in unlawful “predatory pricing increases” of the type described. It is also important to distinguish where individualized or dynamic pricing models are more commonly used. Industries such as third-party delivery platforms, hotels, rideshare apps, and airlines have long relied on variable pricing based on demand, timing, and consumer data. These sectors, unlike traditional grocery retail, are actually where such pricing practices are most prevalent and where policy discussions would be more appropriately focused. Accurate public communication about consumer protection laws is essential. Maryland residents deserve clarity about their rights and confidence that existing laws already safeguard them from unfair and deceptive practices. We urge public officials to ensure that statements regarding consumer protection and pricing practices reflect the law as written and enforced.

As published by The Hill : MARYLAND ( WDCW ) – Maryland is on track to become the first state to ban so-called dynamic pricing in grocery stores across the state. The practice, officials say, allows prices to change based on demand or even customer data. Earlier this month, the state legislature passed the Protection from Predatory Pricing Act, introduced as part of Gov. Wes Moore’s (D) legislative agenda . The bill targets a system whereby retailers can use technology to adjust prices throughout the day or show different prices to different customers, especially in online shopping. Lawmakers said the goal is to prevent that type of pricing from being used in grocery stores across Maryland. Moore said last week that he is excited to sign the new bill. The move comes as consumers say grocery costs are already stretching their budgets. “It’s literally kind of out of hand, almost to the point where it’s like I’m coming twice a week, and twice a week you’re spending easily $125 on a little bit of items,” shopper Deshawn Singleton told Nexstar’s WDCW. “I feel as though it’s a little bit high. … I feel like we can save on the food if we can just, I guess, cut down on the prices,” Latasha Johnson added. Moore has warned that without regulation, shoppers could end up paying different prices for the same items without knowing it. “Digital price tags are replacing paper ones… cameras are watching aisles… apps are moving from search-based to predictive and having true curated experiences that end up harming the average shopper,” Moore said during testimony last month. “If Myles [a member of Moore’s staff] and I were to go in a supermarket at the same time… we could pick up the exact same item and be charged a different price for it, because they know that I’ll pay it. This type of manipulation of data is not fair.” Some shoppers say the bill could make grocery costs more predictable, especially for families on tight budgets. “You never know what the price is going to be… it fluctuates week on week. So that will be a strong basis to have a set number for families to play around with,” one customer said. Justin Brookman, director of marketplace policy at Consumer Reports, says the bill is a step in the right direction but raises concerns about enforcement. “Another problem is there’s no real enforcement. Like, if you got caught doing it, all you need to do is stop once you get caught, and then there can’t be any fines,” Brookman said. The Maryland Retailers Alliance said the bill is a “workable framework.” “The final bill reflects a workable framework that achieves the stated policy goal of prohibiting the use of consumer data to increase prices while preserving the ability for retailers to offer discounts and promotions that benefit consumers,” a statement from the alliance reads. If signed into law, Maryland would become one of the first states in the country to restrict dynamic pricing in grocery stores. Once the bill is signed, it will go into effect in October. Click here to read the full article from The Hill .

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