More and more SNAP recipients gravitating toward big-box retailers, Numerator says

The shutdown will halt about $8 billion a month in federal food assistance. Walmart captures 24% of all SNAP shopper spending, according to Numerator’s 2025 SNAP Evolution report—triple Kroger’s share and far ahead of Costco, Amazon and Sam’s Club.

Walmart was the first retailer to accept SNAP online in all 50 states in 2023 and launched the Walmart+ Assist program, which offers half-price memberships for those receiving aid.

“If SNAP payments stop, spending by the lowest income groups will fall,” said Neil Saunders, managing director of data and analytics firm GlobalData. “Walmart gets a plurality of the spending, so it will be hit the hardest.”

This was somewhat epiphanic for me.

I already recognized companies such as Walmart were subsidizing pay through social programs such as SNAP and essential funneling/laundering tax payer money to their executives.

This headline made me further realize they’re not only making taxpayers subsidize wages, they’ve also effectively turned the USD into a form of company scrip. While that scrip can be spent at some other locations I bet a large percent of funneled right back to e.g. Walmart itself. If you already work at Walmart it makes spending your SNAP benefit there easier.

  • Gerudo@lemmy.zip
    61·
    20 hours ago

    https://www.newsweek.com/snap-tracker-states-that-have-paid-benefits-november-11010336

    Only 8 states have been funded…and as quoted in the article, “although it remains unclear when full benefits will be paid and where the funding will come from”.

    So no, it isn’t clear at all if it is being federally funded, or if the states are banking on getting paid back.

    So please refrain from sounding like “I got mine so fuck off”

      • Gerudo@lemmy.zip
        41·
        18 hours ago

        As of yesterday, I knew of none that were funded, hence my statement.

        That article was posted just a few hours ago. When I read the article, and then researched more, I then stated 8 states. I learned new information and updated my stance. As I quoted as well, even the states don’t know when or where the funds are coming from, just that they are choosing to fund it, which is why not every state has funded the benefit.

        • ozymandias@lemmy.dbzer0.com
          23·
          18 hours ago

          weird roundabout way of saying “i was wrong”.
          “updated my stance” = moved the goalposts.
          what are you even talking about anymore? you’re having entirely fictional arguments with yourself.
          also, blocked, you dour bastard.