Price Hikes Over 38% at Walmart? Workers Share Proof as Target Joins In

Employees Reveal Sharp Price Increases

Walmart employees have taken to social media platforms, notably Reddit, to share photographic evidence of significant price hikes on various items. Examples include

• Jurassic World T. Rex toy: Increased from $39.92 in April to $55 in May—a 38% jump.
• Baby Born doll: Rose from $34.97 to $49.97, marking a 43% increase.
• Fishing reel: Went up from $57.37 to $83.26, a 45% hike.

These substantial increases have raised concerns among consumers and employees alike.

Tariffs Cited as Primary Cause

Walmart’s Chief Financial Officer, John David Rainey, attributes these price surges to the recent tariffs imposed by the U.S. government. He stated that the company is striving to keep prices low but faces challenges due to narrow retail margins and increased import costs.

President Donald Trump has suggested that retailers like Walmart should absorb the tariff costs, but industry experts argue that the magnitude of these tariffs makes it difficult for retailers to do so without passing the costs onto consumers.

Target Aligns with Walmart’s Pricing

Initially, Target maintained lower prices on certain items compared to Walmart. However, recent observations indicate that Target has adjusted its prices to align with Walmart’s increases. For instance, the Baby Born doll, which was previously cheaper at Target, saw a price increase to match Walmart’s pricing.

Target’s CEO, Brian Cornell, mentioned that price increases would be a “very last resort” and that the company aims to offset new import costs through other means.

Broader Economic ImplicationsNew York Post+5YouTube+5The Telegraph+5

The price hikes at Walmart and Target are part of a broader trend affecting various industries due to the recent tariffs. Companies like Mattel, Stanley Black & Decker, and Procter & Gamble have also announced plans to raise prices in response to increased import costs.

Analysts warn that these developments could lead to higher consumer prices across the board, affecting a wide range of goods from toys to essential household items.

Consumer Response and Outlook

As prices continue to rise, consumers are expressing frustration and concern over the increasing cost of everyday items. Retailers are under pressure to balance the need to cover increased costs while maintaining customer loyalty.

With the back-to-school shopping season approaching, further price increases are anticipated, potentially impacting a broader range of products and consumers.

For a visual overview of the situation, you might find this video informative: