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Walmart Prices Climbing, Customers Feeling the Pinch
Walmart, long known for its rock-bottom prices, is steadily raising costs on many popular items, and competitors appear to be following suit. This shift is impacting everything from groceries and household goods to toys and electronics, leaving many customers wondering why their wallets are feeling lighter.
Walmart CFO John David Rainy attributes the price hikes primarily to trade tariffs. In a May call, Rainy cautioned that the timing and finalization of tariffs could lead to significant fluctuations in the company’s financial performance.
He explained that Walmart’s inventory accounting method, known as the retail inventory method (RIM), makes these swings difficult to predict. While Walmart maintains its commitment to keeping prices low, the reality on the shelves tells a different story.
Shoppers are noticing the increases, particularly in the toy aisle. One customer reported a Jurassic World T. rex toy jumping from $39.92 in April to $55 in May.
Data from price-tracking website AisleGopher reveals the same toy was priced at $29.74 in November 2024. Similarly, a Baby Born doll saw its price tag rise from $34.97 in March to $49.97 in May.
Social media posts from Walmart employees further corroborate the rising prices. One employee described the price changes as “insane,” noting increases of $20 to $50 on some items.
Another employee reported a luggage item’s price leaping from $54 to $96. Even grocery staples aren’t immune.
One Reddit user detailed the steady climb of their preferred bacon brand, from $4-5 to its current price of $9.47.
Walmart isn’t alone in this pricing predicament. Competitor Target recently ended its long-standing price match policy, suggesting a broader trend of rising retail prices.