Consumer backlash builds over Walmart’s hidden price hikes

While Walmart executives have talked al lot about keeping prices down in the face of President Donald Trump's tariffs, pictures posted on social media show otherwise.

While it's hard to know how widespread the issue is, social media has lit up with pictures showing price increases of nearly 40% on key grocery items. Electronics have been hit hard too, according to dozen of social media posts.

That has led to calls for the chain to be boycotted, although pricing is not the reason for a planned August 1 boycott of the chain. That will be happening due to the company dropping its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program, which probably has nothing to do with pricing.

The same group running the DEI boycott, People's Union USA, also boycotted the chain in late May over its prices.

People's Union USA organizer John Schwarz said the company has profited while working families struggle.

“We’ve watched these companies rake in billions while families can barely afford groceries,” Schwarz wrote. “Walmart, just like the rest of them, has been part of that problem.”

The group’s website calls for “economic resistance” as a form of protest. It also makes it clear that it's not affiliated with any political party.

“The People’s Union USA is a grassroots movement focused on economic resistance, corporate accountability, and real justice for the working class. We’re not a political party, we’re a movement for the people. All people. No matter your background, beliefs, or affiliation,” it shared.

Walmart has admitted that its costs are going up.

Image source: Getty Images

Walmart faces rising costs

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon addressed the company's supply chain during its first-quarter earnings call.

“The merchandise that we import comes from all over the world from dozens of countries. Other than the US, the other large markets are China, Mexico, Vietnam, India, and Canada. China, in particular, represents a lot of volume in certain categories like electronics and toys. All of the tariffs create cost pressure for us, but the larger tariffs on China have the biggest impact,” he shared.

The CEO also gave a timeline for when Walmart began feeling the impact of the tariffs.

“The cost pressure from all the tariff impacted markets started in lateApril, and it accelerated in May,” he added.

McMillon made Walmart's pricing goals clear without any sort of promise that the chain would keep prices at a certain level.

“First, we want to keep our food and consumables prices as low as we can. Food prices in the US have gone up in recent years and our customers have been feeling that all along,” he said.

The CEO did say that Walmart would not raise food prices to make up for money lost on “tariff-related cost pressure” on some general merchandise items.

Walmart will “do its best” on food prices

McMillon gave some assurances on food prices, but made it clear that he wasn't freezing prices or losing margin to keep prices on food low.

“As it relates to food, tariffs on countries like Costa Rica, Peru, and Colombia, are pressuring imported items like bananas, avocados, coffee, and roses. We'll do our best to control what we can control in order to keep food prices as low as possible,” he shared.

He did offer some areas where the chain has taken a hit to keep prices down.

“In some cases, we're holding our retails where they are despite the tariff cost pressure. Flowers from Mother's Day at Sam's Club U.S. is a good example. Whenit comes to the general merchandise categories that are impacted, we'll move production where that's possible,” added.

More Retail:

McMillon did make it clear that some cost increases due to the tariffs would be passed on to consumers.

“We will do our best to keep our prices as low as possible. But given the magnitude of the tariffs, even at the reduced levels announced this week (the week of May 15), we aren't able to absorb all the pressure given the reality of narrow retail margins,” he added.

Summary: Walmart CEO Responds to Tariff-Driven Cost Pressures

McMillon addressed rising costs during a recent earnings call, pointing to Trump-era tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, Vietnam, and other countries.

Key statements:

“The cost pressure… started in late April and accelerated in May.”
“We will do our best to keep our prices as low as possible… but we aren’t able to absorb all the pressure.”
“Flowers for Mother’s Day at Sam’s Club are one example where we took a hit to avoid raising prices.”

Microsoft has raised prices

Walmart has come under fire after dozens of employees and shoppers shared photos online showing sudden, significant price increases.

According to Reddit and X (the former Twitter) posts:

A Jurassic World T-Rex toy price rose from ~$39.92 to $55 in weeks—a ~38% jump
A fishing reel increased from $57.37 to $83.26 (~45%)
Great Value cocoa powder went from $3.44 (May 2024) to $6.18 (April 2025)
A Chromebook listed “on clearance” was priced higher than the original tag suggested.
Multiple images show toy prices spiking up to 240% (e.g., stacking toy from $5.88 to $19.97), while other tags were adjusted upward by $40–50 per item

Many users claim shelf labels have been altered quietly, with old prices removed entirely.

Walmart did not return an immediate request for comment on this story.