Something unusual is happening in major retailers across the United States. In several states, Walmart and Target workers have started sharing their experiences in online forums. What began as a conversation about changes in their stores has turned into a widespread alert.
Amid these comments, employees have started to notice a strange pattern. Despite the ongoing competition to offer lower prices, some products in the stores have started to experience adjustments that haven't been seen in years. The workers have felt puzzled by how quickly these changes have affected the shelves.
The impact on the day-to-day lives of workers
Employees have reported price increases on basic products in Reddit forums. A Walmart worker commented on more than 600 price changes in their store. These adjustments affected items like toys, with increases between $40 and $50.
The changes don't only affect top-level products, but also basics like cocoa powder. The price of this product went from $3.44 to $6.18 in some stores. Consumers have also noticed increases in items like toys and charging cables, with some rising by as much as 80%.
A toy that went viral on social media saw a 240% increase. The price went from $5.88 to $19.97 before being adjusted to $8.23. This change caused outrage among consumers and employees because of the impact on their wallets.
Criticism of Trump's tariffs
Former President Donald Trump hasn't taken long to comment on the recent price increases at major retail chains. Last May, he posted on his social network Truth Social that Walmart shouldn't blame tariffs for the price increases, but should absorb them as part of their costs. However, those responsible at Walmart and Target have been clear in pointing out that the magnitude of these increases is something they couldn't absorb without passing them on to final prices.
John David Rainey, Walmart's chief financial officer, also warned that the low prices the company has kept for years are no longer sustainable because of the tariffs. All of this could affect consumers' perception of product value. While the official inflation figures for April showed a slight impact from the tariffs, workers are still seeing significant changes in practice.
The complaints from Walmart and Target employees highlight a growing trend. Consumers are feeling the impact of tariffs on the prices of imported products. With prices rising, many are wondering whether retailers are adequately justifying these increases.