WALMART chiefs have confirmed that they are bringing back a fee that will impact certain types of shoppers.
News of the fee hike was revealed in a company memo.
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A basket fee was scrapped during the pandemic for shoppers who rely on food stamps.
But, bosses have stressed the charge is returning and in place for all shoppers.
Shoppers who don’t have at least $35 worth of items in their carts must pay a minimum fee of $6.99, as first reported by Reuters.
“We’re reinstating minimum basket fees for customers with EBT cards saved to their Walmart account,” chiefs said.
The minimum basket fee doesn’t include the cost of delivery.
It comes just weeks after Doug McMillon, the Walmart CEO, issued a warning to shoppers.
Chiefs have been looking for ways to mitigate the impact of Donald Trump’s tariff agenda.
“We’ve learned how to manage through turbulent periods,” he said.
“And while we don’t know everything that is going to happen, of course, we do know what our priorities are, and we know what our purpose is, and we’ll be focused on keeping prices as low as we can.
“We’ll be focused on managing our inventory and our expenses well.”
Walmart offers services designed to help those who receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
The benefits are designed to help low-income Americans buy healthy food for their families.
Around 42 million people across the US receive food stamps.
Walmart has its own Walmart+ Assist program that means the cost of a subscription is slashed to under $50.
A normal subscription would set shoppers back almost $100.
Those who are signed up to Walmart+ Assist can save more than $800 a year on delivery services.
They can also score huge savings when it comes to shipping, gas, and Paramount+ subscriptions.
The Walmart+ Assist program launched in July 2023.
How to sign up to Walmart+
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Here’s how to sign up to Walmart+:
- Head to the Walmart website.
- Select ‘Account’ and then ‘Walmart+’.
- Click ‘Start free 30-day trial’.
- Enter your information.
- Enjoy the trial and benefits.
Remember to cancel before the 30 days are up, or pay $12.95 per month (which you can cancel at any time) or $98 for the annual plan if you want to keep it.
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Federal officials are looking at ways to reform the SNAP program, ensuring shoppers are using the benefits to buy healthy foods.
Shoppers are banned from using the benefits to purchase alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco, but food stamps can be used to buy sugary items.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the Secretary for Health and Human Services, is reportedly looking at ways to stop food stamp recipients from using the aid to buy sugary foods and drinks.
Meanwhile, officials in Colorado are considering plans to allow SNAP claimants to use their benefits to buy hot meals.
Only a handful of states allow beneficiaries to use their stamps to buy hot food.
Locations include California, Illinois, New York, and Virginia.
Lawmakers have stressed that some claimants cannot afford hot meals.
“This is a program that exists for individuals who are older or living with a disability or going through homelessness,” Yara Zokaie, a state lawmaker, said.
“It’s incredibly important that these individuals can still have access to hot, prepared food.
“That is currently something that SNAP benefits do not cover.”
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