Walmart Posts Slowest Sales Numbers In Years, Blames Iran War-Driven Gas Prices For Belt-Tightening

Sales at Walmart’s U.S. stores rose just 2.6% in the latest quarter, while the retailer’s stock plunged more than 9% Thursday, its steepest one-day decline since 2022. The results offer a fresh sign that higher fuel costs and broader economic uncertainty are beginning to weigh on consumers, even as Walmart has benefited from shoppers seeking lower prices.