High Point Enterprise in High Point, North Carolina

Retention Of Item Pricing Urged By Food Store Panel

A supermarket industry panel in Washington urged stores not to remove prices from individual items when switching to computerized checkouts. The Consumer Federation of America called the recommendation a major consumer victory yet warned that only a written pledge will protect item pricing. Four states already require item pricing and Congress, along with about half the states, consider similar legislation. The panel noted shoppers are less aware of prices when shelf tags replace on item pricing. The goal is to keep prices on, while industry spokesmen hope for voluntary compliance and avoid new laws. The UPC system, designed to speed checkout and cut costs, prompted the dispute as stores weigh potential savings against price transparency.