Class action lawsuit alleges retailers deceived consumers on pricing

Walmart is being sued because the wholesaler is accused of exploiting consumers through deceptive pricing practices in the grocery sector.

A federal appeals court ruled on July 3 that Walmart must face these claims in a class action lawsuit against the retailer.

Plaintiff Yoram Kahn alleged that Walmart’s small price differences “add up” and take advantage of consumers.

Kahn claimed that the prices listed on the shelves for the items he paid for differed from the prices he was charged at the checkout for the same items.

“Kahn alleges that Walmart is aware of these discrepancies between shelf prices and cash register prices and that its unfair and deceptive pricing practices are widespread and ongoing,” the lawsuit states.

A Walmart spokesman denied these claims and said the company always offers its customers the lowest prices.

“We will always work to provide our customers with low prices they can rely on every day. We are confident in the evidence and look forward to making our case,” the company spokesperson told Nexstars KNWA.

This case was first dismissed in March 2023 after the judge ruled that it was not unfair for Walmart to issue a receipt after the purchase just because the shelf prices were inaccurate.

However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit overturned the lower court judge’s decision, saying customers had the opportunity to prove that Walmart’s pricing violated consumer protection laws.

Walmart was also recently sued over its prices in New Jersey.

In June, Walmart in New Jersey agreed to pay $1.64 million in damages over inconsistent unit pricing, according to a press release from the state’s attorney general.

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