Retailers Vary Product Pricing for Consumers

Why it matters locally: Massachusetts consumers may be subject to varying price structures when purchasing goods and services, as retailers operating within the state are likely employing the same pricing strategies observed nationally.

Across various sectors including retail, travel, and food, companies implement differing price structures for consumers purchasing the same products and services. Lindsay Owens, author of a new book on pricing practices, states that companies utilize what she terms "price experiments." These experiments involve randomly altering prices for different customers. Additionally, some companies employ "surveillance or personalized pricing." This method involves setting prices based on individual customer data. Owens indicates that companies implement these strategies to increase their profits, according to a report by NBC's Vicky Nguyen.