Walmart to Pay $5.6 Million Over Weight Claim Lawsuit

News Summary

Walmart has agreed to a $5.6 million settlement to resolve a consumer protection lawsuit from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and three other counties. The lawsuit accused Walmart of overcharging customers by mislabeling product weights, violating California consumer protection laws. As part of the settlement, $5.5 million is designated for civil penalties and $139,908 for investigative costs. The settlement also emphasizes Walmart’s obligation to improve pricing accuracy across its California stores.

California – Walmart has agreed to pay $5.6 million to resolve a consumer protection lawsuit initiated by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office along with three other counties: San Diego, San Bernardino, and Sonoma. The lawsuit accused the retail giant of overcharging customers by offering products with misleading weight claims, violating California’s stringent consumer protection laws.

The lawsuit pointed out that Walmart sold items, including produce, baked goods, and prepared food, in packages that did not meet the advertised weight. This discrepancy raised significant concerns regarding accurate pricing at checkout, a fundamental expectation of consumers. The civil complaint cited violations of California’s False Advertising and Unfair Competition laws, which mandate that retailers charge customers the lowest advertised prices.

As part of the settlement, $5.5 million will be allocated for civil penalties, while roughly $139,908.92 will cover the expenses incurred during the investigation. From this settlement, Santa Clara County is set to receive approximately $1.375 million, which will be directed into the district attorney’s Consumer Protection Fund. In addition, Walmart is now required to enhance its employee oversight regarding the accuracy of weight and pricing across all its stores in California.

Walmart currently operates 10 stores within Santa Clara County and a total of 280 across the entire state. This settlement addresses not only current pricing inaccuracies but also Walmart’s historical challenges with compliance. In 2012, the company faced a similar situation, culminating in a settlement of $2.1 million for related allegations. Furthermore, Walmart had previously failed to abide by a court order issued in 2008 that mandated it to rectify pricing errors at checkout.

Consumer expectations regarding correct pricing at checkout have been emphasized by Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen. The enforcement of these laws is rooted in ensuring that customers receive fair treatment and accurate pricing in retail environments.

This latest legal challenge is not Walmart’s first run-in with consumer advocacy groups. In 2025, the corporation was targeted by two boycotts, orchestrated by the advocacy group People’s Union USA. These boycotts protested against Walmart’s alleged unfair practices towards small businesses and its employee compensation strategies. They encompassed both in-store and online shopping, impacting affiliated brands such as Sam’s Club and Walmart’s private labels, including Great Value and Equate.

The investigation that led to this recent lawsuit found support from various departments, including the Santa Clara County’s Weights and Measures Division, the Department of Environmental Health, and the Division of Agriculture. These agencies play a crucial role in maintaining compliance with state laws regarding product labels and weights.

Consumers in California are encouraged to report any concerns they may have regarding product weights and pricing inaccuracies. They can submit their complaints through an online form, via email, or by calling the Weights and Measures Division, contributing to the overall integrity of the retail environment.

This settlement illustrates a continuing commitment to consumer rights and the enforcement of fair trading practices in California, ensuring that large retail entities like Walmart adhere to established laws protecting their customers.

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