U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, wants answers from Kroger after an investigation found the grocery chain was allegedly overcharging customers.
The allegation was first made by Consumer Reports, The Guardian and Food & Environment Reporting. The claim is that 14 states had expired discount sale tags, and Kroger reportedly charged more than the price on the tags at the checkout registers.
Arizona was one of those 14 states. According to Gallego, this practice by Kroger was occurring on more than 150 items, “producing average overcharges of about $1.70 per item, an average 18% markup over the discount price consumers were expecting to pay.”
Neither Gallego nor Kroger responded to The Center Square’s request for comment. But in a letter to Kroger CEO Ronald Sargent, Gallego wrote that “unexpected food price increases can cause significant strain on family budgets,” especially at a time in which many families are paying more for a variety of essential items and services.
“We write to urge you to create a plan with union partners to prevent overcharging from occurring in the future, compensate consumers who have been overcharged, and ensure sufficient staffing at stores to prevent overcharging,” wrote Gallego.
The first-term senator went on to write that this is not the first report of “questionable consumer practices” at Kroger.
For example, Gallego wrote that it was reported in October 2024 that Kroger tested facial recognition software and is increasing the use of digital price tags, something he warned can facilitate surge pricing.
“These practices could be used to manipulate consumers into paying more than they otherwise would at the store,” the senator wrote.
According to Consumer Reports, Kroger downplayed the situation.
“While any error is unacceptable, the characterization of widespread pricing concerns is patently false,” the company told Consumer Reports.
Gallego is not the only Arizonan concerned about the prices of foods and other goods.
In May, Attorney General Kris Mayes, D-Arizona, secured a consent judgment against Family Dollar Stores LLC.
Working through the Consumer Protection and Advocacy Section of her office, Mayes said Family Dollar Stores “inaccurately” advertised prices of store items.
“Inaccurately advertising pricing is simply unacceptable,” said Mayes.
16 tons and what do you get – another day older and deeper in debt.. owing ones back side to the company store ; seems I’ve heard this someplace before ; T Ford
Ah, but if you are over-charged it means you earn more gas points! A trade-off.
Trying to impose price controls on supermarkets is a socialist idea and will eventually destroy the free market. Focus on delivery of services instead. I just made a cross-country trip and was surprised that supermarkets in New-Mexico and Texas were much better than the ones in AZ. Lots of variety of products, a lot more than in AZ or in CA.
Gabe not true – Az & Ca have much better clustercopulation than states east! New Mexico is working on getting some of it ; Que Milagros
.. so what’s the plan.. the STORE IS RUN BY THE GOVERNMENT … didn’t I just hear something about this?
you did.. from a same but different venue – Tomato prices – they are FIXED to allow USA farms to compete against MEXICAN FARMS.. do you ‘really want to grow Tomatoes in the USA’ I get it.. its what you do- ‘compete or ‘NOT’ ? Gov’t programs increase the cost of US labor – we either like it or dump it –
LBJ created Medicare as a ‘tag on’ amendment at midnight – look where that is now – the 65.00 baby delivery is now what 5,000.00 ? or more? liability TORT has made medicine NUTS and BURY’S
Common sense ain’t no more. Cut the grass.. cut the frill… cut the damage. We have much over the cost of medicine and Tomatoes to provide the product needed.
Medicine I like the “English” system – Per Member / Per month – is it perfect / NOPE! Is it better and workable.. I’d have to say yes. If those on Medicare want more LET THEM BUY IT ON THEIR OWN !!! IT’S NOW AGAINST THE LAW FOR THEM TO DO THAT…. NUTS!!