Save or surprise? The truth about supermarket apps!

Save or surprise? The truth about supermarket apps!

The world of supermarket apps is booming, and anyone who wants to use the offers has long since become friends with their smartphone. According to a survey by Bitkom-Research, an impressive 72 percent of smartphone users in Germany have installed at least one of these practical apps. From discounts, coupons and digital loyalty cards to payment systems and shopping aids – the app range offers a wealth of functions. Digital receipts and loyalty programs, which are intended to make shopping even easier and cheaper, are also particularly popular. But where there is light, there are also shadows.

What happens to our data? Users of the apps should know that, according to the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), they can decide for themselves what information they share. Nevertheless, retailers collect a lot of data: from the branches visited and items purchased to personal information such as address and date of birth. This data is used to create detailed customer profiles, which in turn are used for personalized advertising. This allows supermarkets to optimize their range and reduce food waste, but users have to be vigilant.

Discounts and their pitfalls

How tempting the whole system is can be seen in the discounts that are often offered directly via the apps. But caution is advised here: users could be tempted by the tempting offers to buy more than they actually need. The “bargain” can quickly become more expensive than you think. The monetary benefit from using the apps is often only less than one percent of the total purchase value. Comparing prices is made difficult by being tied to a specific app, which can lead to customers spending more overall than they originally intended.

• Supermarkt-Apps bieten Rabatte und Coupons.
• Persönliche Daten werden erfasst, um personalisierte Werbung zu gestalten.
• Nutzer können der Datenverarbeitung und Werbung zustimmen oder widersprechen.
• Die Kontrolle über die Ausgaben bleibt oft bei unaufmerksamer Nutzung auf der Strecke.

Mobile payment in supermarkets is usually done via QR codes or barcodes, with billing taking place directly via the respective app. In order to pay, users must register and provide their payment methods, which also requires personal data. It is essential to check the receipt after the purchase to ensure that all discounts have been correctly taken into account.

Data protection and user behavior

While users have control over their privacy settings, they must regularly check that they are up to date, especially after app updates. This is especially true for shoppers who use multiple supermarket apps. Location sharing, which is often required to collect Payback points, should also be done carefully.

When looking at discount design, it should be mentioned that some providers have to design discounts for app users differently, but always comply with the competition rules. The consumer advice centers continue to monitor discount design practices. So if you want to have a good hand when shopping, you should be well informed and weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of supermarket apps.

At a time when digital convenience is at a premium, handling personal data responsibly remains crucial. After all, behind every discount there is a strategy to strengthen consumer loyalty and increase spending. Consumers should always be vigilant and aware of their shopping habits to avoid losing control of their budget.

For more information on the risks and benefits of supermarket apps, we recommend the reports from Antenna Münster as well as the information from the Consumer advice center NRW and consumer centre.de.