Kroger-owned Ralph’s pulls out ahead in the race to hoover up our personal data
Penny for your data? Spurred by a new California privacy law, Kroger-owned grocery chain Ralph’s recently disclosed what customer information it collects as part of its loyalty program. The supermarket doesn’t just need your name and your number—it wants details like employment, education, and health insurance, too. One information technology expert called it “one of the most intrusive data-gathering programs I’ve ever seen,” Los Angeles Times reported. But the question remains: Why is Kroger so nosy? Turns out, the company runs a data-based marketing subsidiary, a.k.a. it stands to make a lot of money off of shopper info. But don’t worry, you get to save a dollar on corn flakes for participating.
