# Maryland bans personalized grocery pricing

> Maryland’s new law prohibits dynamic pricing for tax-exempt food, targeting consumer-specific price hikes based on personal data.
- Title: Maryland bans personalized grocery pricing · Pymnts | Shortify
- Summary: Maryland’s new law prohibits dynamic pricing for tax-exempt food, targeting consumer-specific price hikes based on personal data. Maryland’s law blocks…
- Keywords: maryland, personalized pricing, grocery, dynamic pricing, tax-exempt food, consumer data, loyalty programs, state law, business, finance, bans, personalized
- Source: Pymnts — https://pymnts.com/news/retail/2026/maryland-personalized-pricing-ban-marks-shift-from-disclosure-prohibition
- Author: PYMNTS
- Published: 2026-09-21T17:07:53+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: maryland, personalized pricing, grocery, dynamic pricing, tax-exempt food, consumer data, loyalty programs, state law, business, finance
## First state ban on personalized pricing
Maryland will ban dynamic pricing for tax-exempt food starting October 1, 2026.
## Targets specific grocery pricing
The law applies to food retailers with 15,000+ square feet selling tax-exempt food and delivery services.
## Prohibits consumer-specific price hikes
It bans using personal data to set higher prices for individual shoppers.
## Protects against discrimination
The law prevents using protected-class data to deny shoppers advantages available to others.
## Loyalty programs still allowed
Loyalty programs are permitted but must not use data to create individualized price increases.
## Enforcement and penalties
Violations face up to $10,000 fines, with repeat offenses costing up to $25,000.
## State law model for others
Connecticut and New Jersey have followed Maryland’s approach to restrict personalized pricing.
## Key takeaway

Maryland’s law blocks personalized grocery prices using consumer data but allows exceptions like loyalty programs.