Walmart CEO Doug McMillon has confirmed that customers will soon see price increases on a variety of products due to ongoing tariff-related cost pressures.
Speaking during the company’s Q1 fiscal 2026 earnings call on May 15, McMillon acknowledged that rising tariffs are making it increasingly difficult to maintain current pricing levels.
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“The higher tariffs will result in higher prices,” McMillon said, while emphasizing that Walmart is in a strong position to manage many of the challenges.
However, he admitted that certain price increases are inevitable, particularly for items outside of essential goods. He reassured consumers that the company would prioritize minimizing increases on staples such as food and everyday consumables.
More price increases expected in June
Walmart’s Chief Financial Officer, John David Rainey, added that shoppers should expect to see price changes beginning later this month, with more noticeable increases likely by June.
Rainey stressed that the scale of the tariff burden is beyond what any retailer can absorb without passing on some of the cost to consumers.
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By GlobalDataDespite the pressures, Walmart delivered a solid first-quarter performance, reporting adjusted earnings per share of $0.61—above analyst expectations of $0.58. Revenue grew 2.5% to $165.61 billion, narrowly missing the projected $165.99 billion.
The company also reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 guidance, projecting second-quarter net sales growth between 3.5% and 4.5%.
As Walmart works to mitigate the impact of these economic headwinds, customers can expect higher prices across multiple categories, including groceries, apparel, and general merchandise.
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