ARLINGTON, VA - Today, FMI – The Food Industry Association Vice President of Tax, Trade, Sustainability and Policy Development Andy Harig issued the following statement regarding today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing on AI surveillance pricing:
“FMI supports policies that promote transparent, accurate and understandable pricing for consumers. Grocery retailers compete every day to earn shoppers’ trust by delivering value, convenience and affordable food, and consumers have more choices than ever about where and how they shop.
“Food prices are influenced by a wide range of factors, including supply and demand, commodity markets, transportation and energy costs, labor, severe weather and global events.
“Loyalty programs are designed to help consumers save money—not pay more. Participation is entirely voluntary, and shoppers choose to enroll because they receive discounts, personalized offers and other benefits tailored to their shopping preferences. These programs are a competitive tool that help retailers deliver greater value to customers.
“Similarly, electronic or digital shelf labels do not determine or dynamically adjust prices based on individual consumers. They replace paper shelf tags with digital displays that improve pricing accuracy, help retailers update promotions more efficiently, and in keeping with state laws, ensure the price displayed on the shelf matches the price charged at checkout.
“As retailers continue to adopt new technologies, maintaining consumer trust remains paramount. FMI looks forward to working with Congress on bipartisan policies that encourage innovation while protecting consumer privacy, promoting transparency and preserving the competitive marketplace that benefits American shoppers.”
