Walmart and Kroger joined other retailers in raising the prices of at-home COVID-19 testing kits.
According to a White House statementKroger and Walmart had previously agreed to sell Abbott Laboratories kits at 35 percent lower prices, or at-cost, from mid-December 2021 onwards, forgoing any profits in the initial sales period.
Without the retailer markups, the two-test kits originally cost $14, and now that the agreement to sell the kits for a lower price has ended, the prices have since risen to $23.99, aCBS News.
According to a Walmart spokesperson, the company continued to offer the tests for the lower price through the holidays but currently Walmart’s kits that were originally priced lower are currently listed at $19.98 and areOnline stock out.
Other retailers, such as CVS, had already been selling kits at a higher price, and are also out of stock, CBS News.
According to CBS News, the companies are having trouble keeping up with the increased demand for Omicron-related testing kits.
“We have seen significant demand for at-home Covid-19 testing kits and are working closely with our suppliers to meet this demand and get the needed product to our customers,”In a statement to CBS MoneyWatch, a Walmart spokesperson said that Walmart is committed to providing quality products.