Why is Walmart losing money?

Walmart isn't consistently losing money overall, but has faced profit dips due to high inflation squeezing customer spending on general merchandise (apparel, electronics) in favor of essentials (groceries), leading to higher costs for fuel/labor and increased markdowns to clear inventory, plus significant costs from liability claims. While sales grow, these pressures on margins and unexpected expenses have sometimes led to missed profit expectations and stock dips, though they're also seeing strengths in grocery and health, notes.


Why is Walmart falling?

Walmart shares have fallen at several points in 2025 largely because of softer forward guidance and unexpected profit pressure, margin and inventory headwinds, tariff and trade-cost uncertainty, and periodic one-time charges. Market positioning and profit-taking after rallies have amplified those moves.

Who owns 51% of Walmart?

Sam Walton's heirs own over 50 percent of Walmart through both their holding company Walton Enterprises and their individual holdings.


Why are people leaving Target for Walmart?

“Issues like out of stock (items), messy stores, long wait times, and locked-up products all push consumers away from Target and into the hands of rivals,” Neil Saunders, an analyst at GlobalData Retail, said in a note to clients Wednesday.

What is the 9 minute rule at Walmart?

The Walmart 9-minute rule is an informal policy allowing associates a ~9-minute grace period to clock in early or late (or leave early) without triggering automatic disciplinary points in the timekeeping system, offering flexibility for minor delays or finishing up tasks, though managers can still address excessive use under productivity, but it's separate from the official attendance points. It's a buffer for the time clock (WOSH) but doesn't necessarily negate points for major lateness or unapproved early departures, with some managers enforcing it strictly or limiting its use for productivity issues. 


Walmart Is Losing BILLIONS After Food Stamp Cuts



Why are people boycotting Walmart?

People boycott Walmart for various reasons, primarily focusing on low wages, poor labor practices, and negative impacts on local economies, with recent protests also targeting changes to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, corporate tax avoidance, and general corporate greed. Critics point to Walmart's role in crushing small businesses, underpaying workers (forcing reliance on public assistance), and creating poverty while benefiting from subsidies. 

What is the most stolen item at Walmart?

The most stolen items at Walmart generally fall into high-value, easily concealed, and resellable categories, with popular targets including cosmetics, baby formula, expensive razor blades, OTC medications, laundry detergent, alcohol, electronics, and designer fragrances, often driven by organized retail crime rings stealing bulk items for resale online. Specifics vary by location, but makeup/cosmetics (like mascara, lipstick) and baby formula are frequently cited as top items, with stores often placing them in locked cases or under surveillance. 

What is the 10 foot rule at Walmart?

Walmart's 10-Foot Rule is a core customer service principle where associates must smile, make eye contact, and offer help whenever a customer comes within 10 feet, originating from founder Sam Walton to create a friendly, helpful environment, though its strict application can sometimes conflict with other duties like restocking or online order fulfillment. It's often paired with a "4-foot rule" for even closer interactions, emphasizing engagement and making customers feel valued.
 


Who is bigger Walmart or Amazon?

Yes, Walmart is generally considered bigger by annual revenue and physical footprint, but Amazon is rapidly catching up and sometimes surpasses Walmart in quarterly sales and market value, leading to a close race where Amazon dominates online retail and Walmart still leads in overall U.S. retail sales by a slim margin, though some sources say Amazon has recently overtaken it. 

Does Bill Gates own stock in Walmart?

Bill Gates Walmart Inc

That's 2.65% of their equity portfolio (8th largest holding). The first Walmart trade was made in Q2 2006. Since then Bill Gates bought shares nine more times and sold shares on six occasions. The stake costed the investor $150M, netting the investor a gain of 520% so far.

How much would $10,000 invested in Walmart 20 years ago?

Walmart (WMT)

It also has a 0.91% yield. Although those gains sound solid, the stock's 958% return over the past 20 years demonstrates how much your portfolio can compound if you pick the right stocks. If you put $10,000 into Walmart stock 20 years ago, it would have turned into $105,800.


Who is the richest Walmart family member?

The richest Walmart family member is currently Rob Walton, son of founder Sam Walton, with a net worth around $110-137 billion, closely followed by his siblings Jim Walton and Alice Walton, making them among the wealthiest individuals globally, with their fortunes tied to their significant stake in Walmart. 

Does Warren Buffett hold Walmart stock?

Buffett actually did own Walmart for stock for about 13 years, from 2005 through 2018. It was one of Berkshire Hathaway's largest holdings at first, but he began selling it off in 2015, and he exited the position in 2018. Image source: Walmart.

Why are people going to Walmart instead of Target?

Walmart is "beating" Target because its focus on everyday essentials and aggressive pricing appeals to budget-conscious shoppers during economic uncertainty, while Target's reliance on discretionary items (home, apparel) hurts sales as consumers prioritize necessities, giving Walmart strength in groceries, scale, and e-commerce, with its Walmart+ attracting even higher-income shoppers seeking value. 


What is the 7% loss rule?

The 7% Rule in trading means you should sell a stock if its price drops 7% below what you paid for it. This rule helps you cut losses early and protect your investment capital. It also takes emotion out of trading decisions, which is important during volatile market periods.

Can I legally refuse to show my receipt at Walmart?

No, you are generally not legally required to show your receipt at Walmart unless they have "reasonable suspicion" of theft, but refusing can lead to being banned or temporarily detained under "shopkeeper's privilege," so showing it often avoids bigger problems, unlike membership stores like Costco where it's a condition of entry. While laws vary slightly by state, retailers can ask, and while you can walk away, it gives them cause to stop you if they suspect shoplifting, so compliance is often the easiest path, according to ABC10 and Business Insider. 

Is Walmart going to $18 an hour?

Starting in early March, store employees will make between $14 and $19 an hour. They currently earn between $12 and $18 an hour, according to Walmart spokeswoman Anne Hatfield.


What is a code 10 at Walmart?

"Walmart Code 10" usually refers to either a supplier deduction for a price/allowance difference (e.g., on invoices) or an employee action code for tracking breaks, but in some contexts, it can signify a "theft in progress" (shoplifting) to alert Loss Prevention (LP) discreetly, depending on the department and store procedure, showing it has multiple meanings in the company. 

What is the most shoplifted item in America?

The 8 Most Commonly Stolen Retail Products
  • Electronics. From smartphones and tablets to laptops and gaming consoles, electronics can earn big profits for thieves, making them a popular target. ...
  • Clothing. ...
  • Alcohol. ...
  • Cosmetics. ...
  • Meat and Cheese. ...
  • Baby Formula. ...
  • Home Improvement Supplies. ...
  • Coffee.


What is the most common item sold at Walmart?

Walmart's single top-selling product, by a significant margin, is bananas, consistently leading as the most purchased grocery item due to their affordability, nutrition, and convenience, though other high-volume sellers include staple groceries like milk, bread, water, and paper goods, alongside health & beauty items.
 


How many people sue Walmart a day?

Walmart is sued nearly 20 times daily, close to 5,000 times each year. Many of these lawsuits have been brought by Walmart's employees, who allege employment discrimination and wage and hour violations, mostly involving overtime. Our law firm handles only severe injury and wrongful death personal injury cases.

Where does the meat come from at Walmart?

Walmart sources meat from major processors like Tyson and Cargill, regional farms in areas like Texas and the Midwest, and through its own vertically integrated supply chains, including partnerships with ranchers (like 44 Farms) and its own processing/packaging plants in states like Georgia, to provide beef, pork, and poultry. They focus on a multi-tiered approach, balancing large commodity suppliers with local/specialty sourcing for different product lines (like their Angus beef).
 

Why do some people dislike Walmart?

People dislike Walmart for its alleged exploitative labor practices (low wages, poor benefits, anti-union stance), anti-competitive tactics harming small businesses, questionable sourcing (sweatshops, foreign labor), negative impact on local economies (job losses, increased poverty), and inconsistent product quality or customer service, despite its low prices that attract many shoppers. 


How much does a Walmart overnight team lead make?

Walmart Overnight Team Lead pay varies by location, experience, and store type, but generally falls in the $23 to $36 per hour range, with averages around $27-$29/hr, often including differentials for overnight work, and can reach higher for specialized roles like Overnight Coach. While some see pay around $21/hr for newer leads, longer-tenured or Supercenter leads can earn significantly more, with total pay potentially hitting $57k-$63k annually before bonuses.