News & alerts
What changed for your stores
Laws, taxes and deadlines for convenience stores, gas stations and liquor stores in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
NYJul 20, 2026New York’s 75% Nicotine Pouch Tax Starts September 1, and You Owe a Floor Tax on Current Stock
New York extends its tobacco products tax to nicotine pouches at 75 percent of wholesale on September 1, 2026, plus a one-time floor tax on inventory you already hold.
NYJul 16, 2026New York Moves to Retire the “Sell By” Date: What the Food Date Labeling Act Means for Your Shelves
The Food Date Labeling Act passed both chambers and awaits Governor Hochul. It bans consumer-facing “Sell By” labels, standardizes safety and quality dates, and expressly lets stores keep selling and donating food past its quality date.
NYJul 15, 2026New York Moves to Ban Electronic Shelf Labels and Surveillance Pricing in Grocery and Drug Stores
Senate Bill S8616A would make New York the first state to ban electronic shelf labels and surveillance pricing in food and drug stores, with $10,000-per-violation penalties. Here is what it would mean for member stores.
NYJul 14, 2026New York Packaging Bill Would Shift Recycling Costs Onto the Brands on Your Shelves
The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act is one Assembly vote from passage. Here is what the 5 million dollar producer threshold means for independent stores.
NYJul 13, 2026New York’s Bigger Better Bottle Bill Would Double Deposits and Send More Empties Back to Your Store
A6543 and S5684 would raise New York’s bottle deposit from 5 cents to 10 cents and expand it to juice, coffee, tea and cider containers. Here is what the expansion would mean for retailer storage, staff time and the frozen 3.5 cent handling fee.
NYJul 10, 2026New York’s Cash Acceptance Law Is Now in Force: What Every Store Must Do
Since March 2026, New York retail establishments and food stores must accept cash and cannot charge cash customers more than card customers. Penalties reach $1,500 per violation.
NYJul 9, 2026New York City Weighs 15-Item Limit and Staffing Rules for Self-Checkout
A City Council bill, Int 0729-2026, would cap self-checkout at 15 items and require one employee for every three kiosks at NYC grocery stores and pharmacies, with a $100 daily fine for non-compliance.
NYJul 8, 2026New York’s Retail Worker Safety Act: The Written Policy and Training Rules Every Store With 10+ Employees Must Follow
New York’s Retail Worker Safety Act requires a workplace-violence prevention policy and interactive training for any retailer with 10 or more employees statewide, with silent response buttons coming for the largest chains in 2027.
NJNYPAJul 7, 2026Tri-State Cracks Down on Organized Retail Crime: New NJ, NY and PA Tools for Store Owners
New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania have all strengthened organized-retail-crime laws and stood up dedicated task forces, here is what tobacco, liquor, and c-store owners should know.
NYJul 7, 2026Wine and Liquor in NY Grocery Stores? Bill S9032 Puts Independent Retailers on Alert
New York bill S9032 would let grocery, convenience, and corner stores sell both wine and liquor, a change independent package stores warn could threaten their survival.
NJNYPAJul 6, 2026The 2026 Tri-State Alcohol-Retail Shake-Up: How NJ, NY & PA Bills Could Reshape Where Customers Buy Booze
From New Jersey grocery bills to New York supermarket-wine fights to Pennsylvania chains winning auctioned licenses, 2026 is redrawing where customers can buy alcohol across the tri-state, and what it means for independent retailers.
NJNYJul 2, 2026Federal Tobacco Pressure Eases, but NJ and NY Flavor Bans Still Rule the Shelf
Federal pressure on flavored tobacco has eased, but New Jersey’s and New York’s own flavor bans still govern what you can put on the shelf. What tri-state retailers can and can’t sell right now.