Business · Companies · 1 day ago
Walmart says it will not use personalized pricing despite its patents
Walmart is facing questions about patent applications that describe collecting customer data and technology that could support personalized prices.
The concerns were raised by Groundwork Collaborative, which said Walmart could charge different prices based on shoppers’ profiles or what they put in their carts.
Walmart executive Dan Bartlett rejected those claims, saying the group misrepresented the company’s pricing practices.
He said Walmart would not use dynamic pricing and would not use AI to upcharge customers.
Groundwork also questioned the safeguards around Sparky, Walmart’s AI shopping assistant.
The disagreement matters because personalized pricing could mean shoppers pay different amounts for the same products based on personal information or behavior.
The available information does not say that Walmart has put such pricing into practice or describe any next steps.
Walmart says it will not use dynamic pricing, despite a report alleging its patent applications describe technology that could set prices based on customer data.
The Groundwork Collaborative report says Walmart’s patents and data collection could enable it to charge different customers different prices for the same products.
Walmart executive Dan Bartlett denied the allegations and said the company does not use AI to charge customers more.
Groundwork president Lindsay Owens said Walmart’s statements about its pricing practices conflict with its patents and comments to investors.
The report also raised concerns about Walmart’s AI shopping assistant, Sparky.
- Who
- Walmart and the Groundwork Collaborative are at the center of the dispute.
- What
- Groundwork says Walmart patents describe technology that could support personalized pricing; Walmart denies that it will use dynamic pricing or AI to upcharge customers.
- When
- The report and Walmart’s response were published on Oct. 5, according to the article.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Groundwork says the patents and Walmart’s data collection raise concerns about charging customers different prices based on personal information.
Groundwork Collaborative
Walmart
Pricing plans
Groundwork Collaborative
Groundwork says Walmart’s patents show it is building infrastructure to price people, not products.
Walmart
Walmart says the report mischaracterizes its pricing practices and that it will not pursue dynamic pricing.
Use of AI
Groundwork Collaborative
Groundwork raises concerns about Sparky’s capabilities and safeguards, and says its users spend more than customers who do not use it.
Walmart
Walmart says it does not use AI to upcharge customers.
We do not use AI to upcharge our customers.
The confusion around Walmart's pricing practices is of its own making.
seemingly so it can price people, not products
Groundwork Collaborative published its report, The Walmart Watchtower.
Walmart executive Dan Bartlett responded to the report with an open letter on X and Walmart’s website.
Groundwork president Lindsay Owens issued a response to Walmart’s statements.
- Report date
- Oct. 5
- Walmart spokesperson
- Dan Bartlett, executive vice president of corporate affairs
- Groundwork president
- Lindsay Owens
- AI shopping assistant
- Sparky
- Patent report
- The Walmart Watchtower
Sources
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