Shoppers looking to maximize savings at major U.S. supermarkets should consider visiting on Mondays or Wednesdays, as Saturdays tend to feature the highest prices, according to a study by data research platform Decodo. The analysis, which examined 1.5 million items across 120 e-commerce platforms, found that price reductions are most concentrated on specific weekdays, both online and on digital shelf labels (DSLs).
DSLs, which allow retailers to instantly update price tags, have become a focal point of consumer concern. Retailers like Walmart and Kroger utilize this technology, leading some shoppers to worry that prices could be manipulated based on purchasing behavior and timing. Walmart, which began implementing DSLs in 2023, asserts that the technology does not enable rapid price increases during store hours, stating that prices are locked for the day and any changes observed would be decreases. The company also highlights the benefits of DSLs in reducing paper waste and freeing up staff time for customer assistance.
Walmart's DSL system is described as a closed-system display without surveillance features. The retailer plans to equip all of its 2,300 stores with DSL technology by the end of 2026, a move expected to cut price update times from 48 hours to minutes. Retailers such as Whole Foods and Kohl's are also adopting similar technologies, anticipating more consistent pricing, enhanced customer service, and reduced labor costs.
Kroger, a user of DSLs since 2018, faced scrutiny last year when Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bob Casey investigated its dynamic pricing practices. The senators requested information from Kroger's CEO regarding the chain's use of the technology and its justifications. Despite these concerns, Decodo's findings suggest that Mondays are particularly opportune for grocery shopping due to a higher concentration of price decreases and efforts by stores to align in-store prices with online promotions. The study also indicated that it is unlikely for prices to change between the time a shopper selects an item and when they complete their purchase at checkout.