Are Trump tariffs making Walmart more expensive in Columbus? See our price check

The Trump administration’s sweeping tariff regime is affecting change to the national economy and to shoppers’ personal budget and major retailers, like Walmart, are among the first to signal changes.

CNBC recently tracked prices of about 50 products in a New Jersey Walmart, most of which were manufactured in a foreign country.

While most of the prices went up from May 20 to July 7, it is “unclear if the moves were all or partly due to cost increases from tariffs.” The products ranged in use from pots and pans to food staples to children’s toys and not all of the prices went up.

For example, the cost of a 12-piece Beautiful pots and pans set saw a 51% increase, and a Graco convertible stroller and car seat went from $199 (on rollback) back up to $299. However, some products, like Mattel’s Barbie dolls (made in Indonesia), actually dropped in price.

“We will do our best to keep our prices as low as possible but given the magnitude of the tariffs, even at the reduced levels announced this week, we aren’t able to absorb all the pressure given the reality of narrow retail margins,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in a statement to USA Today in May.

Are Walmart prices up or down in Columbus?

Since Walmart has become a frontline indicator of how tariffs are hitting American wallets, we conducted our own Walmart price check, comparing a handful of household items purchased in March of this year and July.

We’ve been tracking prices at local Columbus Walmart locations and here’s a recent snapshot comparing Great Value house brands to national brands.

Between March and July 2025, Great Value products saw minor shifts in pricing and despite a few cents increase in Great Value batteries, the price gap between store and name brands remains stark, especially in everyday essentials, but prices, generally, haven’t risen significantly.

Tariff rates at a glance as of July 28

Tariff rates have climbed sharply across key trading partners, with China, Mexico and Vietnam facing broad increases that especially impact consumer goods like toys, electronics, and cookware.

The Budget Lab put together a snapshot of the current tariff situation:

What does it mean for Columbus shoppers?

If you shop at Walmart in Columbus, you’ve probably started to feel those price movements, particularly on big-ticket household items made overseas. Some price bumps are inevitable, while others are less apparent due to Walmart’s vast network of suppliers and their strategy of early/forward buying to buffer tariff shocks.

According to the CSU Turner College of Business and Technology Columbus Economic Forecast, circumstances around pricing in Columbus are varying but can depend on a few factors:

• Transportation costs
• Inventory disruptions
• Local demand
• Supply chain choices
• Ongoing tariff changes
• Market dynamics 

For consumers worried about how tariffs will affect their personal budgets, its worth noting the tariff situation isn’t over yet. The impact on Columbus consumers will be something I’ll keep tracking for you, both in print and on social media.

What would you like to see price-checked in Columbus? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.