Walmart is expanding its employee discount to be available year-round, taking a significant step forward in supporting employee well-being. Despite the negative press Walmart has faced following its decision to withdraw its commitment to DEI policies, the company is making an effort to win back its workers’ support. Previously, the wider Walmart employee grocery discounts were more exclusive to the holiday season or limited to certain products year-round, but the company will now make the benefit available to workers on a range of groceries, all year long.
At a time when the average citizen is most concerned about the rise of tariffs and how it will affect the price of groceries, Walmart’s employee benefits are set to help its workers breathe a sigh of relief.
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Walmart Expands Worker Discount Year-Round—That’s One Way to Support Employees
Walmart is known for its widespread chain of stores at every corner, and its equally expansive network of workers that make it the largest private employer in the world. While maintaining such a vast workforce can be difficult, it is particularly hard to plan benefits that each worker can appreciate in equal measure. Walmart is now expanding its worker discount all year round, offering its 1.6 million U.S. workers a 10% discount on almost all food categories.
The new employee benefit for Walmart workers was announced in a post by Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kieran Shanahan on LinkedIn. Previously, the Walmart Associate Discount Card limited the discount to categories such as fresh produce, general merchandise, and fashion, and expanded the discount to other items during the holidays.
With the new update, 95% of regularly priced items will be covered to make it easier for employees to shop for their groceries at more affordable rates. Effective immediately, workers will be able to shop both online and in-store, availing the discount on additional products like dairy, frozen, dry goods, meat, seafood, etc. The availability of the discount year-round at Walmart also becomes a lifetime benefit for employees who spend over 20 years at the organization, rewarding their loyalty in kind.
Is Walmart’s Retention Strategy a Good One?
Employee retention continues to be a priority for most employers despite the trends of layoffs, and useful employee benefits are always a good way to further this mission. Walmart’s decision to expand its worker discounts benefits every employee—corporate or otherwise—who has spent at least 90 days working at the organization. This makes it a useful benefit for each employee, as groceries are a staple for every household.
Walmart’s employee grocery discount policy isn’t exclusive to the company. While it provides it on the largest scale due to its sizable workforce, competitors like Target and Costco also offer similar benefits to workers. Trader Joe’s offers a more generous 20% discount on all products in the store, which shows just how coveted employee discounts can be.
At a time when workers are most concerned about the price of groceries and their ability to buy sufficient goods for their homes amidst the threat of tariffs, Walmart’s benefits will help many workers buy necessities with greater ease. A good benefit is not just about a competitive advantage, but about helping employees when they need it most.
Retention Continues to Be A Key Priority in 2025
While Walmart has previously been criticized for its lower wages for in-store employees, the expansion of its workers’ discount ensures that they will be able to meet their daily home needs more easily. The company also raised its starting wages at some locations in line with employee feedback. Earlier this year, Walmart also announced plans to improve the wages of its managerial force and hire internally for higher positions, which was a well-received move.
Employee perks that improve the quality of life for workers and aid them in ways that are tied to their daily needs are often the best ways to guarantee retention. A free Spotify or Netflix account might be a fun addition to the benefits on offer, but those that address employee needs and improve their quality of life are the ones that can make the biggest difference to the stressed and burned-out workers of today.
What do you think about Walmart’s expansion of its employee discounts? Does your employer provide a similar benefit? Let us know. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights into the evolving landscape of work and employment right now.