A Kroger customer is angry after discovering the grocery store has introduced electronic price tags.
The grocery store is following Walmart’s example by introducing electronic pricing.
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However, many social media users expressed their displeasure with the brand.
“@kroger if you bring this to my store I will not shop there anymore,” posted one X user.
“Like I leave my shopping cart where it is and walk out as soon as I see it.”
The statement came in response to another post announcing plans to introduce the new labels as well as new facial recognition software.
“Kroger is introducing electronic shelf labels that will allow prices to be changed on the fly, enforcing price spikes at America’s second-largest supermarket,” said the post from a nonprofit group called More Perfect Union.
“They also plan to use cameras with facial recognition to determine the gender and age of customers and make them personalized offers.”
In a follow-up post, the media outlet states that Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey have since sent a letter to Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen questioning the grocer’s decision to introduce the new labels.
In the letter, both Warren and Casey openly question the technology, adding that it would make it easier to raise prices on high-demand items.
Many X-users also expressed their displeasure.
“You have to do more than just write damn stern letters, I shake my head,” wrote one customer.
“I won’t shop there anymore,” said a second person.
“I have been a long time Kroger customer. I will not shop at Kroger again until they give up this terrible idea,” a third person said.
When asked by the US Sun about the introduction of the new price tags, Kroger stated that it “does not use electronic shelf labels.”
Kroger’s announcement comes after many shoppers expressed concern that Walmart might change the prices of their goods without notice.
What is dynamic pricing?
Dynamic pricing means adjusting the price of a product or service to changing market conditions.
This usually involves raising prices during times of greater demand.
Some people call it a “price increase.”
You may have paid a premium when using a ride-sharing app. Fares often increase during peak times when more people are looking for rides.
In February, Wendy’s CEO announced that the restaurant would test this method.
“We said these menu boards would give us more flexibility in changing how featured dishes are displayed,” says an official statement on Wendy’s website.
“This has been misinterpreted in some media reports as an intention to raise prices when demand in our restaurants is at its highest.”
“We have no plans to do that and would not raise prices when our customers visit us the most. Any features we test in the future will be designed to benefit our customers and restaurant employees,” they further denied that there could be price spikes in the future.
“You are on the side of the faceless greed robot who just put electronic price tags on water bottles so he can drive up prices during heatwaves,” tweeted one consumer.
“Call it a conspiracy theory if you want, but I actually believe they’re going to use these apps to manipulate prices in the long run,” agreed a second shopper.
Walmart first introduced the new price tags in June.
“Walmart store shelves contain over 120,000 products, each with an individual price tag,” the supermarket said in a press release.
“Every week, our stores make thousands of price updates for new items, price drops and discounts.”
Walmart hopes the new digital price tags will help employees update shelves using a mobile app, reducing the amount of walking they do around the store.
According to the retailer, the new labels will increase the time employees can spend helping customers.
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