North Carolina S839 bans algorithmic pricing and anti-competitive mergers for food retailers, and caps credit card surcharges.

North Carolina S839, the Price Transparency Act, prohibits food retailers from using algorithmic pricing based on personal data and engaging in anti-competitive mergers. It also limits credit card surcharges to 2% of the transaction price. The North Carolina Department of Justice will create a Price Transparency Team to publish quarterly reports on average prices of groceries, fuel, water, electricity, gas, and internet. Exceptions include promotional offers, discounts for specific groups, price corrections, and system outages. The act is effective October 1, 2026.

North Carolina S839 bans algorithmic pricing and anti-competitive mergers for food retailers, and caps credit card surcharges.

North Carolina S839, the Price Transparency Act, prohibits food retailers from using algorithmic pricing based on personal data and engaging in anti-competitive mergers. It also limits credit card surcharges to 2% of the transaction price. The North Carolina Department of Justice will create a Price Transparency Team to publish quarterly reports on average prices of groceries, fuel, water, electricity, gas, and internet. Exceptions include promotional offers, discounts for specific groups, price corrections, and system outages. The act is effective October 1, 2026.