Washington, DC – The National Grocers Association, the national trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, is urging New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill to make targeted, common-sense changes to the “Fair Price Protection Act” (A4085) before signing it into law.
In a letter to Governor Sherrill, NGA outlines several practical revisions that would preserve the bill’s consumer transparency goals while avoiding unintended consequences for independent grocers and the families they serve. Specifically, NGA recommends clarifying provisions affecting discounts and promotions, improving transparency around delivery fees and pricing disclosures, and removing the legislation’s moratorium on electronic shelf labels (ESLs).
“NGA supports policies that promote transparency and fairness in grocery pricing. However, as currently drafted, A4085 would create significant unintended consequences for independent grocery retailers and ultimately make it more difficult to keep food affordable for New Jersey families,” the letter states.
The legislation was approved by the New Jersey Legislature earlier this month and now awaits action by Governor Sherrill. Without these targeted changes, NGA opposes the bill in its current form.
“This legislation seeks to address practices that simply do not reflect how independent grocers operate,” said Macy Lemon, NGA vice president, state government affairs. “Independent grocers do not use algorithmic or surge pricing to raise prices. They rely on traditional cost-based pricing, competitive promotions, loyalty programs, and markdowns to deliver value and help customers stretch their grocery budgets.
“Unfortunately, the bill would also restrict technologies that improve pricing accuracy, reduce labor costs, minimize food waste, and allow grocers to respond more quickly with discounts. Electronic shelf labels are not tools for surge pricing, but rather tools for efficiency and affordability. We look forward to working with Governor Sherrill to ensure the final legislation protects consumers without limiting innovation or increasing costs for New Jersey families,” Lemon concluded.
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About the National Grocers Association
NGA is the nation’s leading trade association representing the retail and wholesale community grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating in a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector accounts for 2 percent of the nation’s overall economy and generates more than $557.5 billion in annual economic activity, 1.5 million jobs, $115 billion in wages, and $27 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers located in every congressional district across the country, as well as state grocers’ associations, manufacturers, and service suppliers
