Walmart rebuts economist's claims on dynamic pricing and Sparky spending

Walmart published an open letter responding to economist Lindsay Owens, who said Walmart uses personal data and weather to set higher prices. The company says it does not engage in dynamic pricing and that patents describe possible capabilities rather than practice. It disputed Owens's claim that Sparky users spend 35% more, arguing higher order values do not prove higher prices for the same items.

• Walmart denies individualized or weather-based dynamic pricing
• Digital shelf labels display approved prices; they do not set prices
• Walmart says a patent is not evidence of planned practice
• Disputes claim that Sparky users spend 35% more because of higher prices