Manitoba’s government is introducing legislation to ban what it calls 'predatory pricing' on groceries. Finance Minister Adrien Sala stated that the bill aims to ensure all shoppers pay the same price for the same product from the same store.
The move comes after a U.S. investigation by Consumer Reports and two advocacy groups revealed that some online shoppers using a third-party platform were charged different prices for the same item at the same time from the same seller. Sala emphasized that technology allows companies to use personal data to set different prices for different individuals, which the government aims to prevent.
If passed, the bill will not affect loyalty program discounts but will prohibit price changes based on personal data, shopping history, or other factors. It also addresses the potential for in-store price adjustments via electronic shelf labels, which can be rapidly updated.
'As we see digital labeling in stores, the lines between online and in-store environments blur. This makes it crucial to address this issue proactively,' Sala explained. He did not specify how the government plans to enforce the ban on predatory pricing.