New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled detailed pricing plans this week for his signature policy of city-owned grocery stores, announcing that a core basket of essential foods will sell for 30% below typical retail prices, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from grocers who say it unfairly threatens their businesses.

Speaking in Brooklyn, Mamdani said the discount will apply to a defined set of staples including all fresh produce, meat, seafood, bread, milk and pasta. "Once a month, our five city run grocery stores will set prices for this core set of goods at 30% below typical retail prices. No exceptions, no gimmicks," Mamdani said. "The savings will last for the entire month. That means no weekly fluctuations nor sticker shock at the checkout line." The mayor's office said the discounts could save shoppers roughly $90 a month, or approximately $1,000 a year.

Mamdani said he settled on the 30% discount figure because food prices have risen by roughly that amount since 2019. The plan, known officially as N.Y.C. Groceries, calls for one municipal store in each of the city's five boroughs, with a network the mayor's office describes as a "first-of-its-kind model" among major U.S. cities. Rather than being run directly by city employees, the stores will be operated day-to-day by private grocery firms selected through a request for proposals process the city has issued, with the city setting........

© International Business Times