Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2025

This bill cracks down on grocery price gouging and on “surveillance-based” pricing. Grocery stores may not sell items at a grossly excessive price. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) must set clear rules within 180 days on what counts as excessive, and it may include prices that are 120% or more of the recent 6‑month average. Stores can defend a price hike if it comes from costs they can’t control, like higher supplier costs .

Stores cannot set different prices for people based on personal data or facial recognition, or use electronic shelf labels to change a price for a specific shopper. Discounts are still allowed if the rules are public, the offer is the same for everyone who qualifies (like seniors, students, or military), and any personal data is used only to run the discount—not for ads or price-setting. If a store uses facial recognition, it must post clear signs at the main entrance. Big stores (over 10,000 square feet) cannot use digital shelf price tags and must use non‑digital price labels. These last two rules apply to physical stores, not online‑only stores. Stores may use biometric data only to verify identity with clear written notice and consent, and they cannot sell or share it .

The FTC enforces these rules. States can sue on behalf of residents, and shoppers can sue too. If you win, you can get your losses or at least $3,000 per violation (whichever is more), triple damages for willful violations, and attorney’s fees. You have up to 5 years from when you learn about the violation to file. Forced arbitration and class‑action waivers don’t apply to these claims. The bill does not override stronger state consumer‑protection laws. It also provides $5 million to carry out the law, available through 2032 .

Key points

• Who is affected: Shoppers and grocery stores; online‑only stores are not covered by the facial‑recognition sign and digital shelf tag rules .
• What changes: Ban on price gouging; no personalized prices using personal data; facial‑recognition notice at the entrance; no digital shelf price tags in large stores; strong penalties and a right to sue .
• When: FTC rules due within 180 days; you can sue within 5 years of discovering a violation; funding is available through 2032 .