U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, is calling on grocery giant Kroger to answer for alleged pricing practices that may have left Arizona shoppers paying more than advertised. In a letter to Kroger CEO Ronald Sargent, Gallego expressed concern over claims that the company overcharged customers by as much as 18% on hundreds of discounted items across 14 states, including Arizona.
“Unexpected food price increases can cause significant strain on family budgets,” Gallego wrote. “We urge you to create a plan with union partners to prevent overcharging, compensate consumers who were overcharged, and ensure sufficient staffing at stores to avoid future pricing issues.”
The allegations stem from an investigation by Consumer Reports, The Guardian, and Food & Environment Reporting, which found that Kroger stores had expired discount tags on shelves while still charging full prices at checkout. In Arizona alone, over 150 items were reportedly impacted, resulting in average overcharges of $1.70 per item.
Kroger has pushed back against the accusations. In a statement to Consumer Reports, the company called claims of widespread pricing issues “patently false,” though acknowledged that any errors are “unacceptable.”
Gallego also raised concerns over Kroger’s use of facial recognition software and digital price tags, warning that such technologies could pave the way for manipulative pricing practices like surge pricing.
The senator’s concerns come as Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes continues her crackdown on deceptive pricing. In May, Mayes announced a consent judgment against Family Dollar Stores after the company was accused of inaccurately advertising item prices.
“Misleading pricing is unacceptable,” Mayes said following the Family Dollar case.
Neither Gallego nor Kroger has publicly responded to media inquiries regarding the senator’s letter.
The issue adds to growing scrutiny of grocery pricing practices at a time when many families are struggling with the rising cost of essentials.
