SAN FRANCISCO - To better serve customer needs, large grocery store chains across America are introducing pricing technology that will allow for more consistent sales. In the past, discounts would have to be scheduled around holidays and random inventory overages, but now, thanks to AI and dynamic pricing models, everything is on sale, everyday.
“I'm not sure this is progress,” said shopping investor Xia Pham. "Unfortunately because of a my plantar fasciitis, I dread seeing the hourglass pop up next to the price because it means I only have a minute to get to checkout before the price changes. I guess were all playing the grocery store like the stock market now."
With prices being determined by who might be buying the same item across town or in a different part of the country, Xia isn't alone in expressing her dismay. Other shoppers complain that scalpers have worked out a system to manipulate the cost of necessities like almond milk and resale it outside the store at a 120% increase over what they got it for.
Shopper scrambles to beat clock on affordable pricing at local market.