Grocery Delivery App Volt Accused of Inflating Prices Significantly

A consumer watchdog investigation by C14 has revealed that the grocery delivery app Volt is charging significantly higher prices for basic food items compared to major supermarket chains. The price discrepancies, even before factoring in delivery fees, service charges, and tips, show markups of tens and even hundreds of percent on everyday products.

The investigation compared prices on Volt with those offered by Shufersal Online, a major Israeli supermarket chain. For example, a carton of clear chicken soup priced at 10 shekels on Shufersal Online costs 27.90 shekels on Volt. Mayonnaise, which is 10.90 shekels at Shufersal, is listed at 16.90 shekels on Volt. Similarly, a bottle of honey priced at 12.90 shekels on Shufersal is 18.90 shekels on Volt, honey-flavored pastrami is 34.90 shekels on Volt versus 31.90 shekels at Shufersal, and a honey cake is 18.90 shekels on Volt compared to 10.90 shekels at Shufersal.

C14 argues that these inflated prices, combined with additional fees, make using Volt a financially unsound option for Israeli consumers already struggling with the high cost of living. The watchdog plans to continue its daily price comparisons to highlight such disparities and help consumers navigate the rising costs.

A spokesperson for Volt stated that prices on the platform are determined solely by the businesses themselves. They added that Volt offers a wide selection of supermarkets with diverse products across various price ranges, emphasizing that all prices are transparent and allow for consumer comparison and informed choices.