Tracking Austrian grocery prices by scraping store sites

Post by the_mitsuhiko » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 6:56 PM UTC

consp wrote: post #240

the_mitsuhiko wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Well, about 6 years ago, the 3 big telecom operators in Austria raised the prices together at the exact same time, and the government body in charge of overseeing these things said they have no proof that the 3 operators colluded together for price fixing and it could just be a coincidence, case closed. I would love a citation for that.

It's longer ago but they did it in the Netherlands: https://www.acm.nl/sites/default/files/old_publication/publi... Years later they couldn't find any direct evidence but providers were subsequently only not-guilty if they could show long term planning. With a duo- or tripoly it's not hard to have fix your prices together. This especially happens in the high-entry cost markets like telecom.

Post by joquarky » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 6:57 PM UTC

switch007 wrote: post #234

pbhjpbhj wrote: post #228

If it's like the UK, there is so much "shrinkflation" (reduction in product size [and cheapening of ingredients]) that prices comparison is going to need per gram pricing. Identical looking packs now have extra air gaps: inflated chocolate bar wrappers, ice-cream cones with a 1cm gap below the lid, butter cartons have a recessed base, packages that formerly had straight sides now taper, etc. ... lots of these "tricks…

> that prices comparison is going to need per gram pricing Not entirely sure what you mean here, but we do have per gram pricing requirements (expressed in £/KG). EDIT: oh you mean that shrinkflation is so bad that £/gram will make more sense. Hah yeah The trouble is that grocers have figured out that if you fool the population in to using a 'loyalty' card, you can make everything a 'promotional price' and avoid the…

Post by Void_ » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 7:06 PM UTC

vitro wrote: post #254

I was pondering about an idea for an app that will crowdsource prices of items and their development in the time. You know, to be aware when there is some product discount, but during the discount period, the original price is higher that usual which means customer is being mislead. This practice, although prevalent, is not legal in EU [1] The app would let you track prices for products in individual stores by scanni…

Post by tauchunfall » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 7:07 PM UTC

barrkel wrote: post #83

OfSanguineFire wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Red Bull is not made in Austria, at least not necessarily. The European company is headquartered there, but its business model is largely just owning the IP. The filling of Red Bull cans is outsourced to Rauch, which produces at least some of the product in Switzerland.

Famously cheap Switzerland. I get the feeling that the same tricks are being played in Switzerland. Coop and Migros feel a lot like a duopoly, and discounts also cyclical. Not unusual to see 40% discount on outrageously overpriced detergents, for example. I do most of my shopping in Germany.

Post by IG_Semmelweiss » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 7:17 PM UTC

vitro wrote: post #254

I was pondering about an idea for an app that will crowdsource prices of items and their development in the time. You know, to be aware when there is some product discount, but during the discount period, the original price is higher that usual which means customer is being mislead. This practice, although prevalent, is not legal in EU [1] The app would let you track prices for products in individual stores by scanni…