Fact check: Walmart vient de fermer 40 magasins en raison des tarifs

1. Summary of the results

The claim that Walmart is closing 40 stores due to tariffs is inaccurate. While Walmart is indeed closing some stores in 2025, the actual number is 11 stores, not 40, and these closures are attributed to underperformance and strategic repositioning towards e-commerce, not tariffs ^[1]. While Walmart is facing challenges with tariffs and pricing strategies ^[2], there is no evidence linking these challenges to widespread store closures.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements are missing from the original statement:

• Current Business Strategy: Walmart is actually undergoing a strategic repositioning towards e-commerce rather than simply closing stores due to financial pressure ^[1]
• Historical Context: There is a precedent for Walmart store closures causing speculation - in 2015, the company closed 5 stores citing "plumbing problems," which generated various conspiracy theories ^{[3] [4]}
• Financial Reality: While Walmart is facing challenges with tariffs, the company is actively working on pricing strategies to maintain competitiveness ^{[2] [5]}
• Scale of Operations: The closure of 11 stores should be viewed in the context of Walmart's overall business operations and strategic planning ^[6]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement appears to contain several elements of misinformation:

• Inflated Numbers: The statement significantly exaggerates the number of store closures, claiming 40 when the actual number is 11 ^[1]
• False Causation: The statement incorrectly attributes the closures to tariffs, when the actual reasons are related to store performance and strategic decisions ^[1]
• Potential Agenda: This type of misinformation could benefit:
• Competitors looking to create negative perception about Walmart's stability
• Political actors seeking to emphasize negative impacts of tariff policies
• Media outlets seeking to create more dramatic headlines about retail industry challenges

The reality is that while Walmart is dealing with tariff-related challenges ^[2], these are being managed through pricing strategies and business adaptations rather than through mass store closures.