Poll Finds Marylanders Overwhelmingly Support Ban on Electronic Shelf Labels and Surveillance Pricing in Grocery Stores
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 2, 2026
CONTACT:
Finn Storer
press
Poll Finds Marylanders Overwhelmingly Support Ban on Electronic Shelf Labels and Surveillance Pricing in Grocery Stores
69 percent believe electronic shelf labels will cause grocery prices to increase
68 percent support banning this technology in grocery stores, with strong majorities across party lines in favor
ANNAPOLIS, MD. – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) released a poll 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’ 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.
UFCW International Vice President Ademola Oyefeso said:
“No 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.
“The 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.”
Maryland is among 12 states to have joined the UFCW’s “Affordable Groceries and Good Jobs Campaign,” 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.
UFCW Local 27 President Jason Chorpenning said:
“UFCW 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.
“Electronic shelf labels will only hike costs higher. With the ability to change prices at a moment’s 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.”
UFCW Local 400 President Mark Federici said:
“Food is a necessity, and no one should be paying more for milk or eggs based on their identity or zip code.
“UFCW 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.”
Email press 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 here.