San Diego bans digital-only grocery coupons [View all]

The City Council voted 8-0 in favor of the new law this week, despite strong objections from the California Grocers Association and a local grocery chain.

A new San Diego law requires grocery stores to extend digital discounts to all customers — even those who lack smartphones or access to the internet.

The City Council voted 8-0 in favor of the new law this week, despite strong objections from the California Grocers Association and a local grocery chain. The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce also raised concerns.

Supporters of the new law, called the Grocery Pricing Transparency Ordinance, say San Diego is the first city in the U.S. to approve such legislation.

But the law is similar to legislation approved by four states: New Jersey, Washington, Illinois and Massachusetts.

The goal of the law is helping seniors, people who aren’t tech-savvy and shoppers who speak limited English get access to the same discounts as everyone else, city officials said.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/03/27/grocery-coupons-digital-discounts-supermarket/