ACCC zeroes in on pricing algorithms, loyalty schemes in Coles, Woolworths probe
The competition regulator is set to leverage its expertise in data analytics which was honed during the digital platforms inquiry as well as the experience of New Zealand in its review of supermarket pricing.
The competition and consumer regulator has shown the first outline of what its supermarket inquiry is going to look like over the next year after the investigation was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in January amid a wave of scrutiny for the industry.
An issues paper published on Thursday highlights the regulator's continued focus on algorithmic evidence, which helped it secure consumer-law wins against companies including Trivago and Uber, and points to just how closely regulators in the region work together.
Among the areas of focus listed in the 26-page document are buy-1-get-1-free deals on non-perishable goods, in which the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has said it is "particularly interested."
The ACCC will also look at how data analytics and algorithms are helping supermarkets potentially coordinate on pricing and respond to one another's price changes but not necessarily increase transparency for consumers over what they pay at the checkout.
