30% Discount: Mamdani revealed details about the supermarket chain owned by New York

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani revealed details about the planned supermarket chain, which will be owned by the city. According to him, the chain will sell fresh produce, meat, seafood, and other basic goods at a 30% discount. The supermarkets, planned to open in each of the city's five boroughs, were one of the central promises of Mamdani's election campaign, and he claims they will save the average consumer around $1,000 a year.

"For many people, this 30% discount is the difference between the possibility of spending the evening in a family setting around the dinner table and taking an extra shift at work to make ends meet," he declared. "In the richest city in the world, in the richest country in the history of the world, no New Yorker should have to worry about not being able to feed their family."

The discount chain is launching at a time when Americans are experiencing a rise in food prices, which have climbed by around 30% since the outbreak of COVID-19. This year, prices rose further following the war in Iran and the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Thus, a poll conducted by the Washington Post and Ipsos found that about two-thirds of Americans claim that groceries have become too expensive.

According to the plan revealed by Mamdani, the discounted prices, which will also apply to items like bread, milk, and eggs, will be set at the beginning of each month and remain fixed throughout it. The first two branches will open in the Bronx and East Harlem towards the end of 2027. Mamdani has also submitted an official request to partner with a supermarket operator to manage the stores. According to the request, the municipality will cover rent, maintenance, and tax costs, while the private operator will work with food suppliers and manage daily operations. Mamdani tried to calm criticism regarding potential harm to small grocery stores, promising that the chain would not sell products like hot food, beer, or cigarettes.

"We are not trying to compete with kiosks or small grocery stores and harm their ability to survive. We are trying to provide good prices for New Yorkers."

If this plan is indeed implemented as intended, it will help Mamdani improve his rate of fulfilled promises. Thus, according to the website mamdanitracker, which monitors the pace of campaign promise fulfillment, 77% of the programs have not yet been launched, while only 3% have been completed. The unfulfilled promises include imposing a wealth tax and free buses.