Walmart Just Issued This Urgent Warning

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Walmart is a daily stop for millions of shoppers who are looking to cash in on the retailer’s low prices. But from supply chain issues to rising production costs, the company often faces challenges in keeping customers from having to break the bank when shopping. Now, the big-box retailer is sounding the alarm on a widespread issue that will affect shoppers everywhere—and it’s not limited to Walmart. Read on to find out why the company is concerned.

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Consumer inflation is bearing down on retailers , as it reached a 40-year high of 8.3 percent in April, according to Fox Business. As a result, Walmart was among a number of retailers last week who reported significant decreases in profits for their first quarters. The company saw shares decrease by 11 percent on May 17, making it the retailer’s worst day in 35 years, Fox Business said. Walmart’s shares fell again on May 18, down another 7 percent. Edward Maya , a senior markets analysts for Oanda, said that “the strength of the consumer will be tested” as Walmart’s report indicates that “rising pressures are not easing.”

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Inflation is widespread, but Walmart is most concerned about the impact on food, issuing an alarming warning for customers everywhere. “On the food side, we’re seeing double-digit inflation and I’m concerned that that inflation may continue to increase,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said, per Fox Business.

John Furner , the chief executive of Walmart U.S., said the company is seeing rising inflation change customer trends in categories like “deli, lunch meat, bacon [and] dairy,” with shoppers now trading down in these “essential” food categories. “In proteins and dairy, we see some switching from brands to private brands. And we see switching from gallons of milk to half gallons of milk,” McMillon said.

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In terms of rising food prices, the dairy sector is being hit the hardest. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of a gallon of milk in the U.S. is now more than $4—the highest it’s ever been, and up from $3.45 last April and $3.27 in April 2020. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that in some cities—like Kansas City, Missouri; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—the average price of milk is already over $5 per gallon , per Newsweek .

According to the news outlet, the increase in milk prices is a combination of supply chain problems from the pandemic, higher costs for farmers in terms of feeding and transportation, and a decrease in the number of cows and farms. The USDA data showed that the number of milk cows on farms in the U.S. is now 9.4 million, which is 98,000 fewer cows than in April 2021.

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Walmart knows low prices are important to its customers. “We need to do more to keep costs low, and where we see the switching from brands to private brands, we’ll continue to watch that for a group of customers, but we’ve got to all work harder to keep prices low for the American consumer,” Furner said.

Specifically, Walmart wants “customers to have lower prices” even as food inflation continues to rise, according to McMillon. “Not all of [our] customers can afford to absorb this,” he said. “That’s where they need our help.”

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Ex-Walmart Employee Warns This is the One Question to Never Ask

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If you shop at Walmart , chances are you’ve interacted with someone who works there. In the U.S. alone, Walmart employs nearly 1.6 million associates who oversee operations, man the registers, stock shelves, and perform managerial duties, among other responsibilities. Customer care is key for many big retailers, including Walmart, which lists “Service to the Customer” as one of its foundational beliefs . But according to one former Walmart employee, there is one thing you should avoid asking certain workers while shopping. Read on to find out what question won’t get you very far the next time you head to your local store.

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As a one-stop shop for everyday necessities, Walmart boasts a dedicated base of shoppers and bargain hunters. And former employees have aimed to help out by sharing secrets, tips, and tricks that customers would otherwise be unaware of on social media. One previous worker took to TikTok, posting a video about the self-checkout machines, which are programmed to display warning messages if you are purchasing an item that is age-restricted or recalled, or if you’ve missed a scan. A separate video from another ex-employee also claimed that Walmart workers can actually pause your self-checkout process due to concerns about theft or skipped scans . Now yet another previous employee has addressed secrets about Walmart, including a common request that will likely not be met.

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Former Walmart employee Paris Mars , known by her social media handle HeyParis, took to YouTube to discuss her time as a Walmart employee. In a video on her personal channel, she cautions shoppers against asking Walmart associates to check for an item in the back.

If you’re hoping for extra inventory hidden somewhere on storage shelves, you may be out of luck. While this may not apply to all Walmart employees, HeyParis said it is unlikely that the typical associate will actually go and check for you. “They’re going to go to the back, they’re going to talk to their friends, and come right back out,” she said.

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According to HeyParis, if you need someone to check the back, your best bet is talking to one of the employees who work in the back area of the store. These are the employees who generally move larger boxes and crates often using a wheeled platform or a dolly.

“If you ask one of them, they’re more likely to actually look in back for the product you’re looking for than an actual Walmart employee,” she explained.

Alternatively, you can approach an employee with a price gun. The associate can then check on the spot to see how many items the store currently has in stock. And while it seems like common sense, being kind and polite when speaking with associates or management may help your case.

“Be nice to the managers and you will always, always, always get your way,” HeyParis said. “If you talk with a normal voice and you’re just explaining stuff, I promise you the managers will respect you and will do anything in their power to make you happy.”

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In the same video, HeyParis stated that Walmart employees are not fully trained before being assigned to a specific department, claiming that employees “learn as we grow.” Aside from the electronics department, where employees are typically hired by the phone companies themselves, Walmart associates are also unable to answer product-related questions. HeyParis alleges that Walmart instructs employees to “read the box” for products, in the event a customer asks for help.

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