20 hours Ago By Chris Bradford
WALMART bosses have revealed the grocery giant is teaming up with an artificial intelligence company that will help monitor changes in prices.Retailers across the US have been grappling with the impacts of the avian flu outbreak that has led to shortages on store shelves.Walmart is teaming up with a new AI company as part of its bid to anticipate supply chain issuesReutersThe Mega AgencyShelves have been ransacked for the last remaining crates of eggs[/caption]Prices for cartons of eggs have surged as shoppers rush to pick up the last remaining crates.
The shortages have prompted some retailers to impose limits on the number of cartons purchased at one time.And the economic climate remains uncertain as the threat of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Mexico and Canada looms.Trump has already imposed China with tariffs.
“We can’t predict what will happen in the future, but we can manage it really well,” Doug McMillon, Walmart CEO, told investors on an earnings call yesterday.In November last year, John Rainey, the Walmart CFO, warned there may be cases where prices might have to rise.“Our model is everyday low prices.
But there probably will be cases where prices will go up for consumers,” he told CNBC at the time.But, Walmart chiefs are working with Helios to anticipate price changes, per The Street.It allows executives to plan ahead, preventing as much potential disruption to supply chains.
On the call, McMillon boasted about the growth the company had seen. The retailer reported sales growth of 5.2% for the final quarter of last year.
“We’re strengthening our ability to serve people how they want to be served at the moment,” he said.“That’s what’s driving our growth.“Our prices are low, and we’re becoming more convenient.
We’re wired to help people save money and live better.”Egg Prices by StateThe average egg price for one dozen eggs by state is as follows:Hawaii: $9.73Florida: $6.
36Alabama: $6.12Nevada: $6.07California: $6.
05Arizona: $6.03Georgia: $5.96Maine: $5.
84Wyoming: $5.84Colorado: $5.77South Carolina: $5.
76Vermont: $5.70Utah: $5.67New Mexico: $5.
65Tennessee: $5.61North Carolina: $5.60Louisiana: $5.
59Connecticut: $5.54Montana: $5.46Texas: $5.
43New York: $5.37Minnesota: $5.10Rhode Island: $5.
10Idaho: $5.09New Jersey: $5.05Massachusetts: $5.
04Mississippi: $5.04South Dakota: $5.00Virginia: $4.
96Arkansas: $4.95Oklahoma: $4.92New Hampshire: $4.
91Washington: $4.91North Dakota: $4.83Illinois: $4.
82Michigan: $4.82Oregon: $4.81Delaware: $4.
79Maryland: $4.78Wisconsin: $4.78West Virginia: $4.
64Alaska: $4.61Pennsylvania: $4.52Kentucky: $4.
51Iowa: $4.44Kansas: $4.41Ohio: $4.
39Indiana: $4.33Nebraska: $4.25Missouri: $4.
24Source: World Population ReviewExecutives remain optimistic despite the demand for eggs.And egg prices have risen sharply recently.Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed prices had surged by 53% in January 2025 compared to January 2024.
And, prices jumped by 15.2% in one month.In January, the average price of a carton of 12 grade-A eggs was $4.
95.In December, the price was $4.15.
Just six months ago, the average price of a carton of 12 eggs hovered around the $3 mark.Retailers have resorted to imposing limits on customer purchases.Restrictions have been rolled out across Costco warehouses, Sam’s Club locations, Trader Joe’s stores, and Aldi supermarkets.
Aldi shoppers are limited to two cartons and the retailer has apologized for any inconvenience.Costco chiefs have limited customers to three cartons per member.AFPPolicies have been rolled out at retailers like Costco[/caption].
