New York City officials clarified that shoppers will not need identification to buy goods at planned city-owned grocery stores, addressing confusion from earlier remarks. The mayor’s office said the municipal grocery stores will consider a loyalty-card program, but any ID requirement is not part of the plan for New York City grocery stores. At a Monday, July 27 press conference later recirculated on Monday, August 3, Economic Development Corporation leader Jeanny Pak described a “library card-esque” system to focus benefits on everyday New Yorkers. Spokesperson Cassio Mendoza told Forbes the tool would manage inventory, not verify identity, and the city plans one store per borough featuring a core basket priced about 30 percent cheaper.
