Seattle moves on first-of-its-kind ban on grocery 'surveillance pricing'

Seattle leaders are advancing a proposal that would prevent grocery retailers from using individual consumer data to set prices, a practice critics call "surveillance pricing." The measure, backed by the mayor's office, is described as the first of its kind among U.S. cities. It targets pricing systems that adjust what a shopper is charged based on personal data such as purchase history, loyalty-program records or device information, rather than uniform shelf prices. Retail pricing technology has drawn increasing scrutiny from regulators in recent years as grocers expand digital shelf labels, app-based offers and personalized discounts. A local ordinance would apply only within Seattle, but would create a compliance test case for national chains operating in the city.