Stop & Shop made headlines across Rhode Island on Tuesday with its announcement that it will be lowering the prices on many of its products and eliminating the 10-cent bag fee for brown paper bags, but only in the Ocean State.

What about Massachusetts? Will we be getting lower prices and free bags?

We reached out to Stop & Shop, and spokesperson Stephanie Cunha gave us the lowdown on what Bay State shoppers can expect.

Lower Prices Already Beginning to Take Effect

“Earlier this year Stop & Shop announced our commitment to improve the customer experience through price investments, continued investments in store remodels, and by delivering great service in our stores. Part of that includes lowering everyday, regular pricing across our footprint,” Cunha said.

“This is a large-scale, multifaceted effort that will roll out in phases to provide noticeable savings for our customers,” she said. “We have already lowered pricing on thousands of items across stores in Rhode Island, western Massachusetts, Connecticut and several pilot locations in the Greater Boston area. We will continue to lower pricing across Massachusetts stores in the coming months.”

However, Cunha said that “in the more immediate future” prices have been lowered on poultry products across eastern Massachusetts stores, including Perdue, Stop & Shop brand and Nature’s Promise boneless chicken breast and more.

What Rhode Island Stop & Shop Shoppers Will Get

According to a press release, Rhode Island shoppers will see a reduction in everyday pricing of at least 3,500 products across each of its 25 stores.

There will also be new “Savings Kiosks,” where customers can redeem digital coupons and save money through the chain’s GO Rewards loyalty program. They can just scan their loyalty card or enter their phone number and access all the digital coupons associated with their account.

“The Savings Station also automatically activates customers’ personal offers, which are relevant deals just for them based on items they buy most,” Stop & Shop said in the release.

In addition, Rhode Island customers will no longer be charged 10 cents for brown paper bags; they will once again be free.

Why Aren’t the Brown Bags Free at Massachusetts Stop & Shop Stores?

Since May of 2023, customers at Massachusetts Stop & Shop stores have had to pay the 10-cent bag fee for brown paper bags.

Stop & Shop wants to return to free bags in the Bay State as well, but there’s a hang up.

“We can confirm Stop & Shop is also looking to eliminate the 10-cent bag fee in Massachusetts, but the rollout is going to take a bit longer given that in Mass., there are some local ordinances that require us to charge for paper,” Cunha said. “Will keep you posted as soon as it's official in Mass. as well.”

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