Ian Barlow Discusses FTC Action Related to Algorithmic Pricing with Grocery Dive

July 30, 2026

Ian L. Barlow, of counsel in the FTC and Consumer Protection Practice, spoke with Grocery Dive in the article, "What grocers need to know about the pushback against dynamic pricing," regarding the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) actions around dynamic pricing, or the use of consumer data to set food prices, by grocers. 

Barlow, formerly Deputy Director of the FTC’s Office of Policy Planning, emphasized the "bipartisan emphasis on affordability and grocery prices," and further noted that the that FTC settlements often set the standards for industry; “What we see in practice is the terms of FTC settlements, where the FTC settles a case and says, ‘We’re going to settle with you as long as you agree to the following injunctions and requirements going forward’ … those often become guideposts the industry follows to ensure they are not enforced against," Barlow said.