Arkansas, May 22 -- US retail giant Walmart signalled that it could hike prices in order to compensate for the impact of higher fuel costs, according to an NBC report.

US retailers are grappling with higher gasoline prices as the shockwaves emanating from the Iran war keep the energy markets on edge.

The big-box retailer reported positive first-quarter earnings with revenue rising 7.3% to $177.8 billion. Same-store sales grew 4.1%, in-line with estimates. The retail giant witnessed gains in its e-commerce business and among higher-income shoppers. However, higher fuel prices took a toll on the bottom line with the company saying it absorbed $175 million in higher-than-planned fuel costs over the quarter, NBC reported.

"These are real i...