In Massachusetts Grocery Stores, Price Tags Could Give Way To Scanners

BOSTON —  The price tag soon may be disappearing from grocery stores in the state, but consumer groups are making one last appeal to Gov. Deval L. Patrick to save them, asking him to veto a bill approved by the state Senate Monday.

Legislation backed by retailers that passed the House two months ago and is headed to the governor’s desk, would let stores that sell groceries purchase a waiver from the state — for as little as $250 — to end individual item pricing, according to consumer groups critical of the change.

To make the change, stores would have to set up price-checking scanners in shopping areas so consumers could carry items to the scanner to check prices.

Consumer advocates warned yesterday that the scanners are not reliable, and that errors are not unusual.

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