Walmart customers apparently aren’t too happy about the retail giant’s new “basket fee.”
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Walmart reportedly charged a $6.99 fee for online delivery or pickup on any orders with a total below $35. The fee covered costs related to shopping and packing ordered items from store shelves.
The Mirror U.S. reports that while the fee was waived for shoppers who use the Walmart+ Assist Program — which gives discounts to SNAP and Medicaid recipients — during the pandemic since 2020, it’s now been brought back into effect, with many claiming it’s all due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Walmart reinstated the $6.99 in April, but the company denies speculation that the controversial tariffs had any impact on their decision to charge the fee again.
In a statement to Mashable, a Walmart spokesperson says the delivery and pickup fee has nothing to do with the tariffs, but rather that it’s a “standard practice” for many retailers.
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Still, not everyone believes the retailer, and some are worried about how the reinstated policy will affect low-income families during times of economic hardship.
“@Walmart denies tariffs caused reinstatement of ‘basket fee’ … The mega-retailer is bringing back a $6.99 charge on certain online orders. (Is this making America great again? Is this what you wanted when you voted for @Donaldjtrump?),” one X user wrote.
“Walmart is charging a $7 fee now for people using food stamps and spending less than $35. I don’t know of anyone using food stamps, but this will probably hurt poor people a lot,” another user tweeted.
According to 2024 data, a whopping 95 percent of SNAP users shop at Walmart, and more than 25 percent of all SNAP funds are spent at Walmart.
Roughly 25 percent of Walmart shoppers are low-income.
The Walmart+ membership also offers benefits such as discounted gas, free pharmacy delivery and early access discounts.
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