{"id":64357,"date":"2026-04-02T09:52:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T13:52:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ufcw.org\/?post_type=press_releases&p=64357"},"modified":"2026-04-30T10:46:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T14:46:54","slug":"poll-finds-marylanders-overwhelmingly-support-ban-on-electronic-shelf-labels-and-surveillance-pricing-in-grocery-stores","status":"publish","type":"press_releases","link":"https:\/\/www.ufcw.org\/press-releases\/poll-finds-marylanders-overwhelmingly-support-ban-on-electronic-shelf-labels-and-surveillance-pricing-in-grocery-stores\/","title":{"rendered":"Poll Finds Marylanders Overwhelmingly Support Ban on Electronic Shelf Labels and Surveillance Pricing in Grocery Stores"},"content":{"rendered":"
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69 percent believe electronic shelf labels will cause grocery prices to increase<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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68 percent support banning this technology in grocery stores, with strong majorities across party lines in favor<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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POLLING MEMO AVAILABLE<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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ANNAPOLIS, MD.<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong> Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW)<\/a><\/strong> released a poll<\/a> from GBAO Strategies that shows overwhelming bipartisan support among Marylanders for banning electronic shelf labels (ESLs) and surveillance pricing in grocery stores. This technology enables corporations to exploit shoppers\u2019 personal data to set individualized prices that can change in the blink of an eye. This comes as Governor Wes Moore and Maryland lawmakers consider legislation to ban these practices and technologies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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UFCW International Vice President Ademola Oyefeso <\/strong>said:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cNo Marylander is insulated from the devastating effects of record-high grocery prices. Electronic shelf labels, and the discriminatory practice of surveillance pricing that they enable, threaten to drive costs even higher. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cThe results of this poll confirm that Marylanders know the dangers of electronic shelf labels and surveillance pricing and expect their lawmakers to take action. Maryland has a chance to get ahead of this corporate exploitation before it becomes common practice. The UFCW applauds the lawmakers who are standing up for consumers and workers.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Maryland is among 12 states to have joined the UFCW\u2019s<\/strong> \u201cAffordable Groceries and Good Jobs Campaign<\/a><\/strong>,\u201d to ban the predatory practice of surveillance pricing, target the encroachment of AI-driven technology in grocery stores, and deliver fair prices for families while preserving good, union grocery jobs.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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UFCW Local 27 President Jason Chorpenning<\/strong> said: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cUFCW members understand the toll high grocery prices take on lives: they see it at the register, in the aisles, and in their own grocery bills. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cElectronic shelf labels will only hike costs higher. With the ability to change prices at a moment\u2019s notice, ESLs make it nearly impossible for families to stick to a budget. I commend the lawmakers who are fighting to keep this predatory technology out of our grocery stores.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n

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UFCW Local 400 President Mark Federici<\/strong> said: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cFood is a necessity, and no one should be paying more for milk or eggs based on their identity or zip code.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cUFCW members are at the frontlines of the affordability crisis, and they are demanding action from their lawmakers. Keeping electronic shelf labels out of our grocery stores is vital to lowering the cost of groceries for Marylanders.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Email press@ufcw.org<\/a>\u00a0to speak with a spokesperson about the threat that ESLs and surveillance pricing pose to fair grocery prices and good, union jobs. The polling memo is available here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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BACKGROUND<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
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