The settlement, announced in November 2022, aims to resolve claims that Walmart overcharged customers for certain products, benefiting the retailer financially.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, accused Walmart of falsely inflating the weight of specific grocery items, mislabeling bagged citrus fruits, and overcharging for clearance products sold by weight. The alleged practices purportedly forced customers to pay more than the lowest advertised price.

Customers who purchased "weighted goods" such as meat, poultry, pork, seafood products, and bagged citrus at Walmart locations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico between October 19, 2018, and January 19, 2024, may be eligible for cash payments. The amount individuals receive will depend on factors such as the number of eligible products purchased and whether they retained their receipts.

Those who provide proof of purchase can receive up to 2% of the total cost of the weighted goods and bagged citrus, with a maximum cap of $500 per person. Customers who no longer have their receipts can still claim between $10 and $25, depending on the number of products purchased during the specified period.

To exclude themselves from the settlement, object, or comment on it, eligible customers have until May 22. Claims can be submitted online or by mail until June 5. The U.S. District Court is scheduled to hold a final settlement approval hearing on June 12, pending any appeals.

Settlement payments will be processed after the final hearing, either electronically through platforms like Venmo, Zelle, or ACH, or via virtual prepaid Mastercard. Alternatively, claimants can request paper checks. However, the settlement administrator warns that it may take several months before the claims are processed and payment is received.

While Walmart has consistently denied the allegations and wrongdoing, the retailer agreed to the settlement to avoid continued litigation. A spokesperson for Walmart stated, "We still deny the allegations; however, we believe a settlement is in the best interest of both parties."

This settlement serves as an opportunity for eligible Walmart shoppers to potentially receive compensation for overcharged grocery purchases. As the legal process unfolds in the coming months, customers are advised to stay patient for the final settlement and claims processing.