Retailers are replacing price stickers in aisles with electronic shelf labels. The labels prices can change as often as every 10 seconds. Hot outside? They can raise the price of water & ice cream.
While the labels give retailers the ability to increase prices suddenly, Gallino doubts companies like Walmart will take advantage of the technology in that way.
“To be honest, I don’t think that’s the underlying main driver of this,” Gallino said. “These are companies that tend to have a long-term relationship with their customers and I think the risk of frustrating them could be too risky, so I would be surprised if they try to do that.”
The world hasn't worked that way in a long-ass while. Maybe they're just old and out of touch?
I remember several occasions where a store/restaurant mildly fucked up and refunded or at least gave me a gift card, but not since like 2014. Now the gloves are off.
I had Walmart steal my groceries one time on an online pick up order when their system went down. It was a "fuck you not sorry. Also you're being really unreasonable for being upset about this" situation where I had no money in my bank account and nothing to show for it. They do not care anymore.