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Tariff jump could mean higher prices at Walmart, but not immediately

Walmart said in February its supply costs had jumped 3%, but it kept consumer prices mostly flat. That was before tariffs on Chinese imports jumped on Friday.

Shoppers wait in line at a Walmart store in Los Angeles.
Shoppers wait in line at a Walmart store in Los Angeles.
Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

Walmart imports a lot of goods from China, but the world’s largest retailer has said U.S. tariffs have had limited effect on the company and consumers thus far. Walmart said in February that its supply costs had jumped more than 3%, but it kept prices mostly flat for its consumers.

That relatively sanguine message could change when the company holds its latest earnings call on Thursday morning. Analysts and the retail industry say an increase of tariffs on many Chinese imports from 10% to 25%, plus another round of tariffs proposed for this summer, will ultimately reach consumers, even if it takes a year.

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