Tiana Lowe Doescher, an economics columnist for the Washington Examiner, expressed concerns regarding the collection of personal data by companies to implement personalized pricing strategies. This discussion follows the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) recent enforcement policy on personalized pricing, released on August 21, 2026. The policy highlights public apprehension about how businesses may utilize personal data to determine prices based on consumers' willingness to pay and their likelihood of comparing prices.
During an appearance on Fox Business's Mornings with Maria Bartiromo, Doescher noted that price discrimination has long existed, citing airlines as a prime example where different pricing strategies are used based on consumer behavior. She mentioned that happy hour promotions in bars and restaurants also represent a form of price discrimination.
Doescher acknowledged that while price discrimination can raise concerns, it is not inherently negative. She pointed out that rideshare services like Lyft offer reduced fares for rides booked within a short time frame, which can benefit consumers. However, she cautioned that grocery stores might face challenges with personalized pricing due to their typically low profit margins, questioning the feasibility of adjusting prices based on household characteristics.