‘It’s enraging’: lawmakers call for action after Guardian investigation into convenience store overcharges
Congress members say pricing practices at 7-Eleven and Circle K stores underscore everyday Americans’ affordability struggles Five US House members have called out pricing practices at the US’s two largest convenience store chains in response to an investigation by the Guardian . The Guardian found that 7-Eleven and Circle K stores frequently charge customers more at the register or pump for…
Five US House members have criticized pricing practices at 7-Eleven and Circle K stores after the Guardian found that these convenience store chains frequently charge customers more than the prices advertised on shelves or fuel signs. Representative Becca Balint, a Democrat from Vermont, expressed outrage at the issue, urging the Federal Trade Commission to investigate and hold the companies accountable if they are misleading customers.
Rep. Nanette Barragán of California echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in pricing, especially as food and basic necessities continue to rise in cost. The investigation by the Guardian reviewed customer complaints and price-accuracy inspections conducted between 2023 and 2025. During this period, 7-Eleven failed 41% of its price inspections in Arizona and 47% in Colorado and Utah, while Circle K failed 35% in Florida, 39% in Arizona, and 62% in North Carolina.
Both 7-Eleven and Circle K did not provide detailed responses to questions from the Guardian but stated that they take pricing accuracy seriously and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. The issue of pricing accuracy is not limited to convenience stores. In December, the Guardian reported that the nation's two largest dollar store chains, Dollar General and Family Dollar, had repeatedly charged more at checkout than their shelf prices.
In response, 30 US House members signed a letter demanding answers from the dollar store chains. Democratic representatives from vulnerable districts, such as California's Nanette Barragán and California's Laura Friedman, expressed concern about consumers who are already struggling to afford basic necessities. They called for federal oversight and accountability from the retail chains.
Experts suggest that one of the challenges to solving the problem is a lack of inspection and enforcement resources, and that imposing serious fines when stores overcharge customers by just a few cents would encourage them to accurately price their items.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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