Clear Grocery Price Labels

Summary#

This bill updates how grocery prices must be shown in Nova Scotia. It aims to make prices clear, honest, and easy to compare for shoppers.

• Applies to food meant for people to eat, sold by grocers and other food sellers, but not to restaurants.
• If the sales tax (HST) applies to a food product, the shelf or advertised price must already include that tax.
• When something is on sale, the regular price must be shown clearly right beside the sale price.
• For loyalty programs, stores must show the member price and the non‑member price side by side. The member price print cannot be more than 25% bigger than the non‑member price.
• For bundles or sets (like “3 for $10”), the tag must say if items can be bought on their own and list their single-item prices. The set price must be printed at least as large as those single-item prices.
• The government can make more rules later to carry out the law.

What it means for you#

• Shoppers

  • You will see tax‑in prices on foods that are taxable, so there are fewer surprises at the checkout.
  • Sale tags will show both the sale price and the regular price right beside each other, which helps you judge if it is a real deal.
  • If a discount is only for loyalty members, you will see both the member price and the non‑member price together, in similar‑sized print.
  • For “bundle” offers, you will know if you can buy items one by one and what each single item costs.

• Loyalty program members and non‑members

  • Member‑only deals must be labeled clearly, so you can compare your savings with the regular price.
  • Non‑members can quickly see what they would pay without joining.

• Grocery stores and other food sellers (not restaurants)

  • Shelf labels, flyers, and signs must include HST in the shown price when HST applies to a food item.
  • Sale tags must add the regular price right beside the sale price.
  • Member‑only prices must be shown next to the non‑member price, with limits on how much bigger the member price can appear.
  • Bundle offers must state if items are available separately and list their single‑item prices, with set price print at least as large.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Shoppers can budget better when tax is already in the shelf price for taxable foods.
• Clear side‑by‑side prices make it easier to spot real savings and help prevent misleading sales.
• Limits on oversized “member price” tags reduce confusing or aggressive marketing.
• Listing single‑item prices next to bundle offers supports fair comparison shopping.
• Common rules create a level playing field for stores that already use clear, honest pricing.

Opponents' View#

• Stores may face new costs to change shelf labels, signs, flyers, and pricing systems, which could be hard for small retailers.
• Mixing tax‑in pricing (for taxable items) with no‑tax pricing (for most basic groceries) could still confuse some shoppers.
• Tight rules on tag layout and print size may limit how stores design promotions and loyalty offers.
• Enforcement details and timelines are not in the bill text, which could create uncertainty until regulations are made.