PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The mayor of Philadelphia has signed off on legislation that would force city stores to take cash, banning so-called cashless stores.

The ordinance signed into law by Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney Thursday will prohibit most retail locations from refusing to take cash or charging cash-paying customers a higher price. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the law will take effect July 1 and exempts certain businesses like parking garages and wholesale club stores.

A city spokesperson said many poor consumers still do not have access to bank accounts in explaining why Kenney signed the bill into law.

City officials previously said Amazon had told the city the legislation would "impede" plans for an Amazon Go cashier-less store. An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment.

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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.inquirer.com