Walmart’s recent announcement that prices on some items will begin to rise late this month due to tariffs will have an impact on many Kentucky communities. In some rural areas, Walmart is the only grocery in many miles According to the company, there were 101 stores in the commonwealth as of January 1st. Steve McClain, director of communications and public affairs for the Kentucky Retail Federation, said Walmart isn’t alone.
“All retailers are kind of having to adjust on the fly for what the impact of. It was expected, you know. Tariffs are considered a tax on consumers.”
Company officials say fruit from South America and toys from China are some of the items that will see tariff-related price increases. McClain said other business members have been preparing for tariff fallout.
“Yes, they've been looking at alternatives for products, other sources for products, other sources for the packaging of it. But it just takes time to make that switch.”
McClain said some members have complained about the uncertainty of the trade war, with tariffs and reciprocal tariffs, rising, falling and sometimes rising again.
