Walmart Oil Aisle Today

[f355spider]

Nearby Walmart had more Fram filters than I expected to see too and while I don't know a lot of common part numbers, I assure you they had no PH1A, 3614, 6607, 7317, etc remaining. I'm confident they are oddballs, which WM knows they're not big movers so I'm surprised they're not moved to the clearance section already. They're on the top shelf, removed from the 'premium' eye-level shelves too like shown in the picture.

Usually how it works in retail is the brand replacing Fram is asked to assist with either buying back the inventory (and selling to third party discount retailers) or offer a cash "off invoice" one time incentive to cover the cost of Walmart putting them on their clearance rack at their stores nationwide.

Since there may not be enough oil filter manufacturers with the product depth and manufacturing capability to handle the volume of Walmart, Walmart may not have had the negotiating power to do that in this case. But like you, I find it odd they would waste any shelf space on a product they cannot restock and what is left is likely "dead" inventory, unlikely to turnover soon.

 

[KCJeep]

How much did that used to be? I thought it was around $30 pre-run up in price.

Was about $26.97 here for a long time.

 

[User_19876]

How much did that used to be? I thought it was around $30 pre-run up in price.

I bought a box of three jugs in June of last year off Amazon for $21/jug.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Usually how it works in retail is the brand replacing Fram is asked to assist with either buying back the inventory (and selling to third party discount retailers) or offer a cash "off invoice" one time incentive to cover the cost of Walmart putting them on their clearance rack at their stores nationwide.

Since there may not be enough oil filter manufacturers with the product depth and manufacturing capability to handle the volume of Walmart, Walmart may not have had the negotiating power to do that in this case. But like you, I find it odd they would waste any shelf space on a product they cannot restock and what is left is likely "dead" inventory, unlikely to turnover soon.

I was in Walmart here again a few days ago. The oil stock is just fine. The filter section looks like the bread isle a day before a hurricane.

Clearly they have no supplier at this point. I am really surprised they didn't load up on more OEM or something. It truly looks abandoned.

Many suppliers don't want to work with Wal Mart. You have to guarantee supply, at low margin, and they can cancel the contract at any time. Fram was in a good spot because they had there 50 year brand name and likely had at least some leverage with Walmart. A new supplier would not and may simply not be willing to invest in production to sell to Walmart. We shall see.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Walmart 5w40 Euro is up 20% in Canada. It used to hang in at $28.88 CDN but in is now $34.88.

 

[morsk]

I did stop by my local Walmart today and checked out the aisle for a quick second. Pretty well stocked. Plently of motor oil. Pennzoil Ultra Platinum most weights ($40/jug), Mobil 1 ESP ($31, all weights aside from 0W-40), VValvoline Restore and Protect ($36, most weights), etc, and I saw a BUNCH of FRAM filters as well. I did not take a close look as to which filters were available as I am an OEM filter man.

It's the pricing that hurts. My guess: these prices are the new normal. $20-something jugs of the aforementioned will be difficult to find.