{"id":64604,"date":"2026-05-04T10:26:51","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T14:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ufcw.org\/?post_type=press_releases&p=64604"},"modified":"2026-05-04T11:20:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T15:20:22","slug":"poll-finds-new-jerseyans-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-new-jerseyans-overwhelmingly-support-ban-on-electronic-shelf-labels-and-surveillance-pricing-in-grocery-stores\/","title":{"rendered":"Poll Finds New Jerseyans Overwhelmingly Support Ban on Electronic Shelf Labels and Surveillance Pricing in Grocery Stores"},"content":{"rendered":"
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61 percent of New Jerseyans are concerned that electronic shelf labels will cause grocery prices to increase<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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65 percent of New Jerseyans are in favor of banning this technology in grocery stores, with strong support across party lines<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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

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TRENTON, N.J. \u2013<\/strong> Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Locals 152, 312, 360, 464A, 888, 1262, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), and RWDSU Local 108<\/strong> released a poll from GBAO Strategies that shows overwhelming bipartisan support among New Jerseyans 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 Garden State lawmakers, led by Senator Joseph Cryan (D-20) and Assemblyman Chigozie Onyema (D-28), consider legislation to ban these practices and technologies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Presidents of UFCW Locals 152, 312, 360, 464A, 888, 1262, the RWDSU, and RWDSU Local 108, <\/strong>which represents grocery retail workers in New Jersey, <\/strong>said:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cUFCW members see the impact sky-high grocery prices have on working families every day \u2013 they feel it as well when they shop. And with electronic shelf labels, prices can change in an instant, making budgets nearly impossible to stick to.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cThis poll confirms that the majority of New Jerseyans support a ban on this technology and expect their elected officials to act. We\u2019re proud to support the lawmakers pushing to protect consumers and workers in New Jersey.\u201d <\/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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\u201cElectronic shelf labels enable large corporations to use shoppers\u2019 personal data to squeeze them for every last dollar. Amid persistent high inflation, the last thing families need is for grocery prices to rise even higher. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cNew Jersey has a chance to get ahead of this predatory practice before it becomes common practice. The UFCW applauds the lawmakers who are standing up for consumers and workers against this corporate exploitation and urges them to pass this legislation before the session\u2019s end.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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New Jersey is among 12 states to have joined the UFCW\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> \u201cAffordable Groceries and Good Jobs Campaign<\/strong><\/a>\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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Email <\/strong>press@ufcw.org<\/strong><\/a> to 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 <\/strong>here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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BACKGROUND<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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