In the current tariff-sensitive market, even minor price adjustments can lead to significant news — with many quick to blame tariffs for any hike. Recently, Mashable refuted a misleading assertion that Microsoft had increased the prices of certain Surface laptops due to tariffs. Now, Walmart finds itself embroiled in a similar situation.
On April 30, Reuters reported that Walmart had brought back a $6.99 charge for online grocery delivery and pickup orders below $35 for participants in its Walmart+ Assist program. This initiative provides a reduced Walmart+ membership — $49 per year compared to the usual $98 — for customers eligible for government assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps), EBT, or Medicaid. The benefits include free pharmacy deliveries and discounts on fuel. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Walmart had temporarily eliminated the basket fee for these members, but the charge was quietly reinstated in April.
Soon after, The Daily Mail published an article suggesting that the reintroduction of the fee was tied to “new tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump.” If accurate, this would mean that Walmart was transferring tariff-related costs onto low-income shoppers — a potentially harmful move for its public image. However, Walmart has strongly rejected this assertion.
A Walmart spokesperson informed Mashable that the reinstated basket fee is unrelated to tariffs. They clarified that such fees are customary in the retail industry for small online grocery orders and do not affect in-store transactions.
Walmart operates 4,605 locations throughout the United States and plays a crucial role in providing affordable groceries and household necessities for millions of Americans. Data from Numerator indicates that 94 percent of SNAP recipients shopped at Walmart in the last year, making it the leading grocery choice for food stamp users.
While American consumers do rely significantly on imported products — including fruits and pantry essentials — that may be impacted by global tariffs, large retailers like Walmart are typically better positioned to absorb those expenses than their smaller counterparts. In a February earnings call, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon reassured investors that the company is navigating tariff-related difficulties and is actively pursuing more American-made goods. One such effort is the recently introduced “Grow With Us” program, designed to assist small U.S. businesses in expanding their operations and placing their products in Walmart stores.
In summary, Walmart’s recent fee adjustment is not a reaction to tariffs but rather a return to pre-pandemic practices — a decision the company claims aligns with industry standards.