Walmart's CEO John Furner expressed concerns over the financial strain on lower-income shoppers due to escalating fuel costs during the company's annual shareholder week in Bentonville, Arkansas. He noted that while higher-income customers are visiting Walmart more often and spending more, lower-income households are becoming increasingly cautious with their spending habits. Evidence of this trend is reflected in Sam's Club, where members are averaging 9.8 gallons per fuel purchase and filling up more frequently, indicating a need to manage their budgets amid high gas prices. To alleviate some pressure, Walmart has implemented price rollbacks on about 7,200 items, a significant increase from the previous year. Despite these challenges, Furner believes Walmart is well-positioned to serve customers with its diverse merchandise and low-price strategy. Additionally, U.S. consumer confidence has slightly dipped, primarily due to concerns over inflation and rising gas prices, which may impact spending as tax refunds diminish and inflation continues to outpace wage growth.