New York Attorney General Letitia James is demanding that Instacart share information about its price-testing experiments following a report that the app's users were charged different prices for iden... ...

Core Insights - Instacart's use of artificial intelligence pricing tools has led to significant price discrepancies for identical products among U.S. shoppers [1][2] - A study involving 437 shoppers across four cities revealed that nearly 75% of tested items had varying prices [2][3] - The total cost for a basket of goods from the same store could differ by approximately 7%, potentially resulting in an annual cost variation of about $1,200 for consumers [3] Group 1 - Instacart employs AI pricing tools that result in inconsistent pricing for the same products [1] - The study was conducted by Groundwork Collaborative, Consumer Reports, and More Perfect Union, involving major grocery retailers like Target and Costco [2] - Price variations were observed, with one example showing a carton of Lucerne eggs listed at five different prices at a single Safeway location [3] Group 2 - The research indicates that the pricing strategy could significantly impact consumer spending, highlighting a potential issue in pricing transparency [3] - The findings suggest a need for scrutiny regarding the fairness of pricing practices in grocery delivery services [2][3]

Core Viewpoint - Maplebear Inc. (NASDAQ:CART) is experiencing mixed analyst opinions, with price targets being adjusted downwards by some firms while others maintain a bullish outlook, reflecting the evolving market dynamics and pricing trends [1][2][3]. Group 1: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Wedbush revised its price target for Maplebear Inc. from $42 to $40, maintaining an Underperform rating due to changing pricing patterns and revenue sources [1][2]. - Bernstein's Nikhil Devnani reaffirmed a Buy rating on Maplebear, setting a price target of $63, indicating a contrasting view on the company's future [3]. Group 2: Business Developments - On October 15, Maplebear Inc. launched new business features aimed at supporting bulk ordering and team purchasing, which include dashboards and spending controls [4]. - The company reported that hundreds of retailers have already adopted these new tools, enhancing their e-commerce platform and operational efficiency [4][5]. - Ryan Hamburger, Vice President of Retail Partnerships at Instacart, highlighted that over one million business customers have ordered from Instacart in the past year, showcasing the growing demand for these services [5]. Group 3: Company Overview - Maplebear Inc. operates as an online grocery delivery service, connecting customers with local stores for same-day delivery or curbside pickup through the Instacart app or website [6].