this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2024
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A supermarket trip may soon look different, thanks to electronic shelf labels (www.npr.org)
submitted 4 months ago by return2ozma@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone 0 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

This month, Walmart became the latest retailer to announce it’s replacing the price stickers in its aisles with electronic shelf labels. The new labels allow employees to change prices as often as every ten seconds.

“If it’s hot outside, we can raise the price of water and ice cream. If there's something that’s close to the expiration date, we can lower the price — that’s the good news,” said Phil Lempert, a grocery industry analyst.

Jesus, I can’t imagine just coming out and saying this like it’s not fucking deranged to charge people more for WATER during a heat wave.

Also, the first time the price of something rises in the 5 minutes it takes for me to get my shopping done and get to the checkout, I’m taking a shit on the floor.

[–] ThePantser@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

We're gonna need some new regulations that require all price labels to have a date/time of last change so we know when they changed the prices.

[–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago

There is a rule for gas stations that prices can only be changed once a day. Sounds like that would be a good start.

[–] empireOfLove2@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

So, if these prices can be so easily updated, surely the retailers can now include tax in the listed price. It's very simple automated math of course...

[–] NoisyFlake@lemm.ee 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Wait, you're telling me that the price on the shelf doesn't include tax where you live?

[–] Grunt4019@lemm.ee 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

It’s standard in the US for the listed price to not include any taxes.

[–] Halcyon@discuss.tchncs.de 0 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

And how about price comparison, is it mandatory for US supermarkets to display the price per unit based on a standard unit of measurement (such as per pound or per ounce or whatever metrics are used)?

[–] empireOfLove2@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 4 months ago

Depends, generally no. Some supermarkets do as a company policy though and I choose to shop at those that do show per-unit pricing (and are also locally/employee owned)

[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world -1 points 4 months ago

Imagine walking down the aisle, normal day, no thoughts about the prices or any of that.

Then one day you walk down the aisle but this time you forgot your phone in the car.

Different prices. Then some one walks is coming close from the other end of the aisle. The price changes. They walk past, nonplussed. A few seconds later, it switches back.