Walmart just proved it’s America’s solution to the affordability crisis

Channel 3000 News/CNN ^ | Movember 20, 2025 | CNN Bitter LOSERS

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Walmart is proving to be America’s antidote to the cost of living crisis.

A growing number of Americans are heading to Walmart for groceries and clothing as inflation and high prices squeeze their budgets: Walmart’s business in the United States is surging and it’s gaining market share from rivals, the company said Thursday in its quarterly financial report.

Walmart has used its massive size and scale to drive down prices and pour billions of dollars into investments such as raising wages, sprucing up stores and building a logistics network for online shopping.

These investments are paying off for Walmart at a moment when many Americans’ finances are stretched.

Last quarter, Walmart’s US sales increased 4.5%. Walmart saw an uptick in customer trips to stores, and shoppers spent more when they visited. Walmart also raised its sales and profit guidance, signaling it expects a strong holiday shopping season.

Walmart’s gains have been led by middle-class and upper-income households turning to its stores and website to try to save money.

“We’re gaining market share, improving delivery speed, and managing inventory well,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in a news release. “We’re well positioned for a strong finish to the year and beyond that.”

McMillon announced Friday that he’s retiring soon as CEO after 11 years. He’ll be succeeded in February by John Furner, who heads Walmart’s US operations.

Walmart is gaining over Target in particular. Target’s sales have stagnated for around four years.

One major advantage Walmart has over Target is its grocery business.

Shoppers make frequent trips to stores to pick up groceries, and Walmart has made improving its produce section a top priority in recent years. The company has also narrowed the gap with Target on apparel and home goods.

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TOPICS: Agriculture; Business/Economy; Food
KEYWORDS: economy; food; inflation; walmart

[Big Red Badger]

Focus
Focus
FOCUS!

[Sacajaweau]

I just bought 12-18 oz bags of Starbuck’s Pike Place...Comes to $7.60/lb. And I got it at Walmart.

[RoosterRedux]

I recently analyzed a warehouse robot company (Symbotic-SYM) that is working with Walmart to automate its warehouses. I got a glimpse at what Walmart is doing.

They’re rebuilding their entire supply chain from the ground up with AI. Their new, purpose-built "high-tech" perishable distribution centers, which are designed from the ground up for near-full robotic handling of fresh goods like produce, dairy, meat, and eggs, are up to 98% automated, with AI-driven robotics sorting goods, handling perishables, and building perfectly optimized pallets for stores.

Their AI route-optimization engine has already eliminated 30 million wasted miles and reduced fuel, labor, and equipment wear.

On top of that, Walmart’s “self-healing inventory” system constantly scans for stock problems—overages, shortages, slow movers, fast movers—and fixes them automatically. It reroutes products, rebalances inventory across regions, and prevents out-of-stocks and overstocks before a human even notices. In one local market alone (Mexico City), it saved them over $55 million.

They’re also rolling out millions of IoT sensors so every pallet, case, and cold item is tracked with real-time precision. That means less spoilage, fewer errors, tighter replenishment, and lower storage costs.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Where are you, Diana?”

We live very rural, SW Wisconsin. My two choices are Walmart and Piggly Wiggly...and that’s a 20 mile round trip as it is! We have a Farm & Fleet for animal supplies in the same town. I use ‘Chewy’ for house pet supplies.

We get by fine. We have a HUGE garden, Beau hunts and fishes. We raise our own beef and have laying hens. We just bought a whole hog from our neighbor. We’re all pretty self-sufficient out here, between all of our farms.

I have friends that like Woodman’s. Mom likes Pic-n-Save which is a Kroger brand, I think? I will shop Aldi when we travel to a larger town about 45 minutes away to hit Menard’s for building/repair/farm supplies. We have a great butcher in our Cow Town - Population 283 - an old General Store that’s been there since the 1950’s. Great bacon and cheeses. :)

[Zathras]

In 2008, Walmart was evil.
What has changed?
DEI and Walmart $$$ to -> DNC

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Walmart is cheap but I prefer to support the local grocery store...”

I really do love my Piggly Wiggly. Tuesdays is Senior Day. I consistently save $14-$16 on my trips to their store. Meat prices are high, but they are not shy about marking things down - usually 2-3$ off for chicken or chops.

Plus, the store Manager is my age, so there’s always excellent 70’s and 80’s rock on the Muzak. ;)

[Varsity Flight]

Hiring new help? Or placing more work on the backs of current help?

[dfwgator]

I’m so glad that H-E-B finally made it to the DFW area.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Helpless and dependent is right where Mother Government wants us!

Not playing her game. Eating a slice of homemade bread as I type. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

LOL!

I’ve always been a ‘Foodie.’ And one that can stretch a buck mainly by doing it myself. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I love that guy. :)

Some of the Best of Walter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpL35xwvVDA

[Dr. Sivana]

I forgot about Aldi, that should always be part of the mix.

My wife misses having a large garden in northern Illinois. Everything grew there.

Pick-n-Save is a subsidiary of Roundy’s is a subsidiary of Kroger.

I miss Menard’s. Better than Home Depot/Lowe’s for most things, especially home shelving solutions and Rubbermaid products.

We didn’t raise animals when we lived in northern IL, but many people did, and the deer hunting is unsurpassed, and we were often the beneficiaries of the best meat and the freshest goat milk and eggs. Too bad Chicago is attached to Illinois.

[Arlis]

Low prices? China-mart.

Avoid if I can.......

[Big Red Badger]

Good thread Kid...
Life’s Good !

[tinamina]

We have a Walmart neighborhood market. Only groceries and prescriptions. It’s 20% cheaper on average Dennis Publix, which is the only other choice in town. Where would you shop? There are a few things that you can’t get at Walmart but you adjust your habits

[SaxxonWoods]

I know, I’ll get a job, any job, do the least amount of work possible without getting fired, refuse to educate myself, use credit cards to support my toy addictions, and then blame everyone else when it doesn’t work out.

[SaxxonWoods]

Dollar General is a convenance store for quick stops, like a 7/11 compared a large grocery.

[fredhead]

First, I’m retired Navy and live near the base.

I got totally over having half of the items I need at Walmart locked up. Our Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney (DA) stated that he would not prosecute shoplifters, so Walmart locked stuff up. You have to get an associate to get it and have to pay for it right then.

So we went back to the Commissary. Good prices, great choices, and we don’t have to deal with the Walmartians.

[whitney69]

“Walmart has used its massive size and scale to drive down prices...”

Yep. They send out the company shoppers to see what the local competition is doing and undercut them.

wy69

[abigkahuna]

You peeked—.