Walmart has secured two new patents that will give machine learning systems greater control over product pricing, according to the Financial Times. The patents, for a system to dynamically adjust markdown prices and another to forecast demand and recommend prices, position Walmart at the center of a growing controversy over algorithmic pricing in retail. The company's aggressive tech investments, including nearly 50 patents granted in 2026, underscore its strategy to maintain dominance in the sector. Critics argue these tools could enable manipulative pricing, while Walmart insists its systems support everyday low prices.

The patents specifically target Walmart's ecommerce operations, which generated over $150 billion in sales last year. The January patent automates markdowns based on predicted demand and price sensitivity, while the recent filing helps merchant teams optimize stock levels for periods ranging from weeks to quarters. These tools align with Walmart's broader push to install electronic shelf labels across all 4,600 US stores, a move that has drawn legislative scrutiny. A proposed federal ban on such labels highlights the political sensitivity of automated pricing systems.

Walmart maintains its systems are customer-focused, emphasizing that price updates remain "people led" and consistent with its Everyday Low Price promise. The company's ability to offer historically 10-25% lower grocery prices than competitors, as noted by Morgan Stanley, demonstrates how its tech investments actually benefit consumers. This tension between efficiency gains and potential consumer mistrust represents a critical challenge for retailers navigating the algorithmic pricing landscape.