It was revealed through an internal company memo and later confirmed by Walmart that the retail giant had decided to reintroduce a minimum basket fee for customers receiving U.S. government assistance as well as for participants in its Walmart+ Assist program. This policy, which had been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic to accommodate economic and social distancing challenges, was said to be reinstated as part of the company’s strategic adjustments in anticipation of a challenging fiscal year.
The decision was reportedly driven by expectations of reduced consumer spending, particularly among Walmart’s core demographic, which largely consists of low- to middle-income households. In recent statements and internal guidance, the company indicated that careful measures were being taken to manage costs as inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty continued to impact purchasing behavior.
Customers who make use of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards through government programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would now be required to pay a fee of \$6.99 for pickup or delivery services when their grocery order totals less than \$35. Prior to this change, those utilizing SNAP benefits had been exempt from the fee, a waiver that had been granted to ease financial burdens during the height of the pandemic. Walmart’s policy shift marked the end of that temporary relief, with the company confirming that the standard minimum basket fee would henceforth apply to all eligible orders under the threshold.
EBT, a system commonly used to distribute food assistance benefits in the United States, functions similarly to a prepaid debit card. Customers using EBT as a payment method were informed via an internal customer service memo that the reinstated fee would be applicable for lower-value orders, with staff instructed to communicate this policy transparently when queried by affected shoppers.
According to the guidance issued to Walmart’s customer service representatives, the basket fee was designed to cover operational costs associated with picking and packing items in-store, which had been acknowledged to be more resource-intensive than fulfilling orders from centralized distribution centers. The guidance emphasized that the \$6.99 charge did not include the separate cost of delivery, which would still apply where relevant.
In addition to EBT users, the policy also extended to customers enrolled in the Walmart+ Assist program—a discounted version of the company’s subscription service that offers benefits such as free delivery and fuel savings. Walmart+ Assist had been developed specifically for individuals on government assistance and offered at a reduced annual fee of \$49, compared to the standard \$98 membership.
Company representatives stated that the reintroduction of the minimum basket fee had been made after careful review, with the earlier waiver originally introduced in response to the public health emergency and logistical needs brought on by COVID-19. It had been explained that, with pandemic-related restrictions lifted and operational procedures normalized, a return to the standard policy was deemed appropriate.
A Walmart spokesperson reaffirmed that the \$35 order minimum would now serve as a consistent benchmark for all customers wishing to avoid the additional fee, regardless of their payment method or membership status. This move was interpreted by analysts as part of a broader cost-optimization strategy amid tightening consumer budgets and elevated operational expenses.
The retailer, which had long positioned itself as a destination for value-conscious shoppers, was said to be balancing affordability for its customers with the financial realities of maintaining low-margin services such as in-store order fulfillment. In doing so, it had sought to preserve accessibility while also ensuring sustainability of its e-commerce and pickup operations.
Although the policy change was expected to affect a subset of customers already facing economic constraints, Walmart emphasized the continued availability of its value-oriented pricing and assistance-based membership offerings. Nonetheless, industry observers noted that the timing and nature of the reinstated fee could place additional pressure on financially vulnerable consumers who rely on small, frequent purchases to manage household budgets.
As the retail landscape continued to evolve, companies like Walmart were said to be making difficult decisions in response to shifting consumer behavior, rising costs, and the changing dynamics of digital and in-person shopping. Whether this new fee policy would meet internal targets without alienating key customer groups remained to be seen, but it underscored the challenges faced by major retailers in navigating the post-pandemic economic environment.
