Food prices change while you shop, here’s what to do
If you think food prices are high now, just wait. Grocery stores across the country are installing electronic shelf labels (ESLs), ditching those humble paper price tags for sleek little digital screens.
Sounds like a snazzy tech upgrade, right? Just wait until your eggs get a price hike while you’re still pushing your cart toward the meat section.
🧂 Price jump in Aisle 5
Walmart, Whole Foods and regional chains like Schnucks in the Midwest are already using this technology. Retailers say it saves time, and sure, I get it. A typical Walmart has over 120,000 items, and changing all those prices by hand takes days.
With ESLs, they can update thousands of prices in seconds. That’s a win for store efficiency, but for us shoppers? It opens the door to something we’ve all experienced.
🤑 Surge pricing
You know how Uber hikes your ride fare during rush hour or a rainstorm? Now imagine that happening at the supermarket.
☀️ Hot day? Bottled water jumped in price.
🍗 Big game tonight? Chicken wings got a surprise markup.
Surge pricing, but for food. Sure, they say it’ll help reduce food waste by discounting items near expiration, and that’s great. But once stores can adjust prices based on demand, they will. Count on it.
Kroger’s working with Microsoft to add cameras to these digital displays. They’ll use facial recognition to track your behavior and create personalized offers.
🥷 Beat the tech
Here’s how to fight back:
✅ Use rebate apps like Ibotta and Rakuten to get cash back on what you’re already buying.
✅ Sign up for store loyalty programs. You don’t have to give your real number. Use your area code and 867-5309. It’ll probably work.
✅ Check store apps and websites for digital deals.
✅ Compare local grocery prices with Flipp before you head out.
Grocery tech is getting smarter. Prices are getting sneakier. You don’t have to stand still while they inch higher.
🌽 I was at the store and saw an ear of corn cost a dollar. A buck an ear? That’s piracy! (Oh, now that’s a great one!)
Tags: loyalty programs, Microsoft, prices, retailers, Walmart, Whole Foods
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