Senator Warren flags Walmart's dynamic pricing patent for shopping-based price adjustments

Senator Elizabeth Warren drew attention to a Walmart patent for dynamic pricing technology that could adjust product prices based on what else a customer has placed in their cart. The patent's own example describes scanning tuna which would then trigger a higher price for mayonnaise, based on the system inferring the shopper is likely making tuna salad. Warren characterized the technology as enabling what she called surveillance pricing. Groundwork Collaborative President Lindsay Owens, who discussed the patent on The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart, pointed to evidence from Walmart's earnings calls showing that the company's AI shopping assistant Sparky has already been driving higher basket values through upselling and bundling, with CEO John Furner stating in August that Sparky users spent 40% more per order than non-users. Owens suggested that even seemingly innocent questions from the AI about customer urgency could eventually inform pricing decisions.

1. Senator Elizabeth Warren said Walmart has patented technology enabling dynamic pricing based on cart contents
2. The patent example involves tuna and mayonnaise, with mayo price adjusting once tuna is scanned
3. Groundwork Collaborative President Lindsay Owens discussed Walmart's patents on The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
4. Walmart CEO John Furner said Sparky users spent 40% more per order than non-users, with usage up 70% year-over-year
5. Walmart did not immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comment