Walmart shoppers who have purchased produce or packaged meat from the retail giant in the past five years may be eligible for up to $500 as part of a class-action settlement. The $45 million settlement resolves allegations that Walmart overcharged customers for sold-by-weight products, including packaged meat and certain bagged citrus, according to legal documents.
The lawsuit, initially filed in late 2022 and amended in 2023, alleged that Walmart "falsely inflated" the prices of certain sold-by-weight products, including those that feature the retailer's "rollbacks," or discounts. It also claimed that Walmart mislabeled the weight of bagged produce, such as oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines, by falsely advertising the weight as more than the actual weight of those grocery items.
While Walmart denies any wrongdoing, the company has agreed to the settlement. "We still deny the allegations, however we believe a settlement is in the best interest of both parties," a Walmart spokesperson told Business Insider in a statement.
To be eligible for a cash payment, customers must have purchased weighted goods and/or bagged citrus at a Walmart store, supercenter, or neighborhood market store in the United States or Puerto Rico between October 19, 2018, and January 19, 2024.
The amount of the cash payment will depend on the items purchased during the settlement period and whether the customer has receipts or other proof of purchase. Customers with receipts or proof of purchase can receive 2% of the total cost of the eligible items, up to a maximum of $500. Those without receipts (Try to retrieve receipts from Walmart's website) can still receive compensation based on the number of eligible items they attest to having purchased:
- $10 for purchasing up to 50 pounds of eligible goods
- $15 for purchasing 51 to 75 pounds of eligible goods
- $20 for purchasing 76 to 100 pounds of eligible goods
- $25 for purchasing over 100 pounds of eligible goods
To claim their share of the settlement, customers can file a claim online or by mail, postmarked on or before June 5, 2024. The settlement website provides a full list of eligible "weighted goods" and "bagged citrus" to help customers determine if their purchases qualify.
The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for June 12, so customers should not expect to receive any compensation before that date.
Despite the settlement, Walmart maintains its commitment to offering competitive prices to its customers. "Walmart will continue providing our customers everyday low prices to help them save money on the products they want and need," the company stated.
The class-action lawsuit and subsequent settlement serve as a reminder for retailers to ensure accurate labeling and pricing of their products to maintain customer trust and avoid legal disputes. As for Walmart shoppers, it may be worthwhile to review past purchases and gather any available receipts to determine their eligibility for compensation under the settlement terms.
While the individual payouts may not be substantial for most customers, the settlement demonstrates the power of collective action in holding large corporations accountable for alleged misleading practices. As the claim filing period continues through June 5, 2024, eligible Walmart customers have the opportunity to recoup some of their expenditures on potentially overcharged produce and meat products.
