The fear is that stores will change prices based on the customer, or that the price may change between the time you pick an item off the shelf and scan it at check out. Business experts call this “dynamic pricing”.
https://www.al.com/news/2026/06/kroger-joins-walmart-in-controversial-shopping-change.html
I was in Walmart last week and noticed that they’d jacked the price on generic Corn Flakes from $2.24 to $2.74. I dynamically moved a few blocks East to Winco and purchased 10 boxes at the $2.24 price.
intercst
(refuses to be price gouged)
7 Likes
People worry about possible mis-use of electronic pricing. But online shopping has always had this potential. Not new.
The logistics of keeping shelf prices up to date can be a problem. Complaints of checkout price was different are not uncommon. Electronic pricing makes making both changes w same software likely.
Recall that airlines have always used variable pricing. As seats get reserved prices increase. Limited number at lowest price. But also specials for unsold seats at the last minute. Wasn’t that Priceline’s game? If you fly off hours you get better prices.
3 Likes
How does the store know who the customer is when it’s being scanned at the checkout? I’ve never given a store a piece of ID until the total has been given.
They know from your cellphone. Can they read the credit cards you carry. RFID was once suggested for exactly that. Then they know what you paid for every item you have. Did you pay list, buy on sale, shop for a bargain, or respond to an ad or end of aisle display.
AI improves all of this in spades. Lots of possible strategies. Which will be most profitable?
1 Like
The scanners at Safeway have cameras and image recognition. For now, they’re just programed to tell a banana from a tomato. Facial recognition is coming.
intercst
3 Likes