Instacart Ends Price Testing Following Consumer Reports Study

Core Viewpoint - Instacart has decided to suspend its price testing practice on its grocery delivery platform following customer feedback and an investigation into its pricing practices [1][2][3]. Group 1: Pricing Practices - The decision to halt price testing comes after a Consumer Reports investigation revealed that customers were seeing different prices for the same items from the same stores, which raised concerns among consumers [2][4]. - Instacart acknowledged that the tests conducted with a limited number of retail partners did not meet customer expectations, especially during a time when families are trying to maximize their grocery budgets [3][4]. - The company clarified that moving forward, customers shopping for the same items at the same time from the same store location will see the same prices, eliminating price discrepancies [3][4]. Group 2: Regulatory Context - The announcement follows a $60 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding allegations of false advertising practices, although Instacart denied any wrongdoing [5][6]. - Consumer Reports highlighted concerns about potential "surveillance pricing," but Instacart stated that its pricing practices do not fall under this category [5].