Key Points
Walmart is rolling out digital shelf labels and expects the technology to be in all U.S. stores by year’s end. Kroger also has begun experimenting with the technology.
The nation’s largest retailer says the digital price tags help associates do their jobs better and stresses that prices on items will be exactly the same for every consumer in every store.
Some legislators are wary of the technology’s potential to be used in dynamic pricing models that disadvantage consumers, with Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introducing a bill to ban it.
Assuming people are paying attention to the price when they grab it off the shelf and checking it against the price that comes up on the register is a big jump imo. Maybe the old lady clipping coupons will notice.
As people’s wallets tighten they’re going to start being more aware of what the cost of the item is.
The worst time to do this is during an economic downturn.