Via iStockphoto / @freyasalchemists TikTok
A woman was shocked by the price of Krispy Kreme doughnuts at Walmart. Her solution to this price hike has enraged viewers.
A woman was shocked by the price of Krispy Kreme doughnuts at Walmart. Her solution to this price hike has enraged viewers.
Prices for everyday goods have gone up dramatically.
It used to be the case that you would walk into a grocery store, get a little snack and a drink, and walk out without the feeling that you’ve just drained your savings account. Now, however, inflation has struck everything from soda to potato chips. While you can still find the occasional deal, you’re often lucky if you can fill up your stomach for less than $5.
Even things that you never thought would be expensive are going up in price. For example, how much are you willing to pay for a doughnut? One Walmart shopper recently learned her limit after a trip to the store left her shocked.
Krispy Kreme Sticker Shock At Walmart Self-Checkout
In a video with over 407,000 views, TikTok user Freya (@freyasalchemists) shows herself at a Walmart. She is standing in front of the self-checkout.
After a few seconds, she scans an 8-pack of Krispy Kreme mini doughnuts. When the price comes up on the screen, she’s audibly shocked.
“I ain’t paying no $11 for these old … doughnuts,” she says. “There’s a Krispy Kreme right down the road!”
The screen appears to show the doughnuts being sold for $9.98 for the entire package. As Freya observes, that’s over a dollar per doughnut.
Freya adds that the doughnuts were set to expire the next day. So, instead of buying the doughnuts, she films herself visiting her local Krispy Kreme and getting a single doughnut.
“Now granted, it was almost $3, but it’s fresh,” she explains.
How Much Is Krispy Kreme At The Grocery Store?
In a follow-up video, Freya notes that she had not gone shopping in this way for months. This is why the Krispy Kreme price left her astonished.
“The last time I bought an eight count of mini donuts at Walmart it was like $6, so it’s almost double the price now,” she explains. “That absolutely baffled me. The audacity to charge so much for some clumps of dough—like, what is this economy? What is this reality?”
“Everybody just seems to be normalizing this,” she continues. “It’s not normal.”
Freya is correct that the price of items in this category has increased substantially in recent years. Her video shows the 8-pack being sold for just under $10. But back in June 2020, a Krispy Kreme pack of 8 Mini Crullers was being sold for under $4.
This represents a change of +151.4%—over a period where cumulative inflation was +30.7%.
If the original price was $4, and this price kept pace with doughnut-specific inflation, its price would still be under $6—not the nearly $10 price tag that Freya saw in-store.
In an email, the TikToker told BroBible that “After I scanned the mini doughnuts the price came to [$10.39} after tax. I did not notice of the other doughnuts.”
“I have noticed an increase in grocery prices for most other groceries as well. A beef roast Costs around $25,” she added, noting that several other Krispy Kreme packages had the same expiration date. She further stated that “neither Krispy Kreme nor Wal-mart has reached out to me.”
Walmart Doughnuts Vs. Krispy Kreme
In the comments section, users offered tips to save money while still being able to enjoy a sweet treat.
“We always go to the bakery at Walmart!!” suggested a user. This user attached a screenshot showing that a 12-pack of mini doughnuts could be purchased from the Walmart bakery for under $4.
“Hear me out. Y’all are sleeping on the donuts in the Walmart bakery,” echoed another.
That said, others said that the cost of Krispy Kreme doughnuts at Walmart may be high for a reason.
Why Is Krispy Kreme So Dang Expensive At The Grocery Store?
“More expensive per donut at Krispy Kreme,” said a user. “The date is always the next day because they bring them in fresh everyday.”
The Krispy Kreme website reiterates this idea. The website reads, “Doughnuts are delivered from our local Krispy Kreme doughnut shops directly to select grocery stores near you.” While the doughnuts may not be as fresh as the ones Freya bought from the store, the Krispy Kreme doughnuts at Walmart are still likely to be pretty fresh.
Still, many commenters agreed that the price of doughnuts was simply too high.
“I think Dunkin has lost their minds. almost 3 dollars for a mini donut?!?! that’s straight robbing all of us. Ugh,” stated a commenter.
BroBible reached out to Freya via email and TikTok direct message, to Krispy Kreme via email, and to Walmart via media relations contact form.