Rhode Island bans grocery store non-compete clauses to address food deserts

Rhode Island became the second state to prohibit supermarket chains from using anti-competitive contract language that prevents other grocers from entering markets, targeting the consolidation that has left some cities with only one major f

First covered Aug 28, 2026 · 8:00 AM PT · 1 article · no longer in the live window

Rhode Island bans grocery store non-compete clauses to address food deserts — Image via theguardian.com

Coverage

29d Guardian Environment This US city only has one supermarket for 45,000 people. New legislation seeks to fix that — Big grocery can use anti-competitive clauses to block other stores from entering a market. Rhode Island is the second state to ban that practice Jeannine…

Primary sources

chairmanmendelson.com B22 60 Grocery Store Restrictive Covenant Prohition Act Packet (chairmanmendelson.com)

dmped.dc.gov D.C., Safeway ink Skyland deal. Here's what that means for the Wal-Mart-anchored project.

gillibrand.senate.gov Gillibrand Cantwell Wyden Booker Letter To Ftc On Anti Competitive Restrictive Covenants (gillibrand.senate.gov)

More coverage from around the web

wpri.com New RI law bans restrictive grocery store covenants | WPRI.com

ilsr.org Rhode Island Restrictive Covenants Ban is "major step towards lowering grocery bills"

americanbar.org Non-Compete Roundup: 2026 Edition

pbn.com State bans grocery store deed restrictions tied to food deserts

aol.com RI bill to stop grocers from stifling competition heads to governor - AOL

Appeared in: 2026-08-30 (#12)

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