Companies use sophisticated pricing tactics like personalized pricing, geo-location targeting, and browsing data analysis to overcharge customers. Lindsay Owens, head of Groundwork Collaborative, recommends avoiding retailer apps, comparison shopping across multiple devices and networks, clearing browsing data, and shopping in person to protect yourself from these pricing schemes.
Walmart CEO John Furner published a letter assuring customers the company will not use personal data or AI to set personalized prices, reaffirming its long-standing "Every Day Low Prices" strategy. Furner emphasized that Walmart prices products, not people, and outlined three commitments including not varying prices by customer identity and maintaining transparency about how personal information is used. The company also clarified that its digital shelf labels and AI shopping assistant Sparky are designed to improve operations and service, not to enable discriminatory pricing.