Marketplace All-in-One On Instacart: same store, same item, different price
Dec 10, 2025
Peter Howitt, an esteemed economist and Nobel Prize winner from Brown University, joins the discussion on dynamic pricing. He reveals findings from a study showing 75% of products on Instacart have different prices for different shoppers. The conversation shifts to the role of AI in job disruption and its implications for inequality. Howitt emphasizes the need for regulation to ensure that technological advancements benefit society and protect employment. It's a thought-provoking dive into how our shopping experiences reflect larger economic trends.
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Instacart Price Variability Revealed
- A Consumer Reports experiment found Instacart showed different prices for the same items to different customers.
- About 75% of checked products had price variations up to 23%, potentially costing a family ~$1,200 a year.
Algorithms And Retailer Control Intersect
- Every experimental shopper experienced Instacart's algorithmic price tests according to Consumer Reports.
- Instacart responded that retailers set prices and some used Eversight for limited online pricing tests.
Follow The Fed Dot Plot Closely
- Watch the Fed's press release and the dot plot for guidance on future rate moves.
- Pay attention to how officials balance job market support against inflation control for 2026 signals.