Walmart is rolling out digital shelf labels and expects it to be in all U.S. stores by year’s end. Is it surge pricing in disguise or just new tech efficiency?

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.

  • DarkDinner@quokk.auEnglish
    51·
    7 days ago

    I wonder how tough the display screens are. Like if I accidentally took a can and leaned into the display, would it crack and cost them a bunch of money to fix?

    • brown567@sh.itjust.works
      7·
      6 days ago

      I’ve definitely observed that some of them are waterproof and some aren’t (my local Walmart has some non-waterproof ones in the fresh produce section that have clearly not enjoyed the regular misting XD)

      The coolest thing about them, though, is when employees are grabbing stuff for pickup/delivery there’s a little light that flashes on the display so they can find it faster!

      • Joelk111@lemmy.world
        2·
        6 days ago

        Yeah, I know someone who works as a grocery getter and that’s super cool. I wish they’d open that up to customers, it’d be an actual reason for these to exist.

        • partial_accumen@lemmy.world
          3·
          6 days ago

          I wish they’d open that up to customers, it’d be an actual reason for these to exist.

          That works against the retailer. They want you looking through all the product because you might see another product you hadn’t intended to and buy that too. If you just walked down an aisle only picking up items with your color flashing light, you’d likely spend less money.

        • brown567@sh.itjust.works
          1·
          6 days ago

          That would be a really cool feature! If they could integrate it with the app, like letting you plan a shopping list and help you find the stuff on it XD