Walmart says it’s not using personal information to set prices as it expands digital shelf labels

Walmart is seeking to ease customers' concerns regarding its new pricing technology as it deploys digital price labels in its stores. The company's CEO, John Furner, has stated that the retailer will not be utilizing personal information, such as income, shopping history, or a customer's willingness to pay, to determine prices. Furner reiterated this promise on Friday, emphasizing that Walmart's pricing will remain consistent regardless of factors like time of day or customer location.

The company is also vowing not to employ its artificial intelligence shopping assistant, Sparky, to raise prices or conceal lower-priced alternatives that meet customers' needs. This pledge comes amidst growing concerns from shoppers, consumer advocates, and lawmakers regarding the implementation of digital price labels by Walmart and other retailers.

Digital price labels are increasingly replacing traditional paper shelf tags in U.S. supermarkets, enabling stores to modify prices instantly from a central computer rather than through manual label swapping by employees. Furner affirmed that Walmart is equally committed to the same assurance and will not use Sparky to either increase a customer's price or hide lower-priced options that satisfy their requirements.