Walmart and Kroger raise prices for domestic COVID-19 tests after agreement with the White House expires

By Tim Stelloh -

Supermarkets Walmart and Kroger increased from Abbott's domestic COVID-19 tests after the agreement with the White House to sell the tests at a reduced price expired, the companies reported Tuesday.

The BinaxNOW kit, one of the first home tests authorized by the federal government, appeared on Walmart's website Tuesday at $ 19.88, up from $ 14 last month.

Kroger put the tests at $ 23.99.

President Joe Biden announced the deal with Walmart, Amazon and Kroger in September, saying it was part of his Administration's plan to increase testing and "better detect and control" the strain of the coronavirus that then posed the greatest danger: the delta. 

[These three COVID-19 home tests can help curb infections in a few minutes and from your home kitchen]

The three-month agreement to sell the tests "at cost" expired last month, just as the new omicron variant began to move rapidly through the United States. 

BinaxNOW COVID-19 tests manufactured by Abbott Laboratories in a store in Manhattan, New York, on November 12, 2021. Andrew Kelly / Reuters

A spokeswoman said in an email Tuesday that, unlike other retailers, Walmart continued to sell the product for $ 14 during the holidays.

"We have seen significant demand for household COVID-19 test kits and we are working closely with our suppliers to meet this demand and source the necessary product for our customers," he said, adding that inventory has remained stronger in the US. stores that online.

Starbucks will require its employees in the United States to get vaccinated against COVID-19

Jan. 4, 202200: 30

The kits, which include two tests each, were listed as out of stock on Walmart and Kroger websites on Tuesday.

In a statement, Kroger said it had fulfilled its commitment to the Biden administration and had restored "retail prices."

[Should we give the booster vaccine to children?

An expert responds]

Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The tests were not available on its website on Tuesday.

The White House could not be reached for comment.

Biden said last month that the Administration plans to send up to 500 million free test kits to people who request them through a website, a plan that experts say will require a significant increase.

Government officials expect the first batch to ship sometime this month.