San Diego has set a precedent by unanimously passing an ordinance prohibiting grocery stores from offering digital-only deals, a city council decision underscoring a deepening concern about the digital divide and economic disparities. The ban, which NBC San Diego first reported, is slated to take effect in 90 days, reflecting an effort to level the playing field for those without easy internet or smartphones, including seniors and low-income individuals.
As detailed in the legislation, grocery stores are expected to post notices at checkout registers indicating that electronic coupons or discounts are available to all customers, even those who have not subscribed to digital services. "This becomes problematic when such discounts or coupons are offered only through digital means because it disadvantages those in the digital divide, or those who do not have ready access to or comfort with computers and the internet," said City Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera's office, according to NBC San Diego. Notably, a 2022 report cited by the same source identified over 53,000 households in San Diego without internet access, making the digital-only deals out of reach for many.
In a move reflective of this focus on inclusivity, Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert stressed the ordinance's intent during a city council meeting. "We just want to make sure senior citizens and low-income individuals, who don’t have cell phones, can get the same discounts as everybody else," von Wilpert told ABC 10News. This sentiment was echoed by shoppers like Blanca Alvarado, who, in expressing her frustrations with the accessibility of online discounts, said, "It's good for old people like me."
However, concerns from the business community surfaced regarding the ordinance's potential impact on local business operations and customer savings strategies. "Many retail grocery stores with loyalty programs will be unable to comply, and will therefore, as the safest option, are unlikely to offer any discounts and coupons within the city," Ryan Allain from the California Retailers Association cautioned the council, per ABC 10News. The Chamber's Executive Director, Justine Murray, also highlighted apprehensions from various businesses about the ordinance and how it could potentially drive discounts and customers outside city limits. These perspectives underscore a multi-layered debate at the nexus of consumer access, business interests, and the complexity of navigating digital transformation in a diverse urban environment.
