Walmart has broadened its long-running employee discount so that most grocery items now qualify for 10% off all year, not just during the holidays.
The perk—one of the most requested by associates—takes effect immediately and covers categories such as dairy, meat, seafood and dry groceries, both in stores and online.
Previously, the 10% discount applied to fresh produce and most general merchandise, with broader food coverage offered only as a limited holiday benefit. Clearance items remain excluded.
The expanded benefit was communicated to employees this week, including via internal leadership meetings and executive communications.
News of the change surfaced publicly on Tuesday (Aug. 12, 2025) in an executive video post and was widely reported on Wednesday and Thursday (Aug. 13–14, 2025).
Who benefits and eligibility rules
The discount expansion applies to Walmart’s roughly 1.6 million U.S. workers.
Associates typically become eligible for the discount after 90 days of employment.
The discount card is a long-standing program that provides lifetime access after 20 years of service.
While the company has not listed every excluded category, reporting indicates that clearance items are not included in the discount.
What’s included—and what’s not
- Included: “Nearly all” regularly priced grocery items, including milk, meat, seafood, frozen foods and shelf-stable groceries, available year-round in stores and online.
- Not included: Clearance merchandise remains excluded; historically, certain categories (e.g., some services or regulated items) have not qualified, but Walmart’s latest communications emphasize the broad inclusion of food rather than a full exclusion list. Employees should check item eligibility at checkout or in the app.
Why Walmart is doing this now
Food inflation has cooled from 2022 peaks but remains elevated versus pre-pandemic levels, pressuring household budgets—including retail workers’.
Walmart executives have said the change is a direct response to associate feedback seeking simpler, more useful benefits.
Strategically, the move supports both employee retention and recruitment.
It also reinforces Walmart’s positioning on everyday value, especially ahead of earnings periods when labor initiatives are closely scrutinized.
Broad, year-round grocery discounts bring Walmart more in line with rivals that market straightforward employee price breaks on everyday purchases.
Industry observers say the decision sets a marker for other big-box and grocery chains competing for front-line talent and could nudge peers to sweeten their own perks.
Walmart has added the discount expansion alongside recent investments in its workforce, such as higher manager pay and a large front-line bonus program.
These efforts are aimed at improving employee retention and engagement.
In aggregate, these benefits allow the company to tell a clearer story about total rewards at a time when retailers are battling for labor in many U.S. markets.
How associates can use the discount
Associates can apply the 10% discount on eligible grocery items by presenting or linking their associate discount in the Walmart app or at checkout.
The benefit is available every day. This makes it easier for associates to plan routine grocery trips without waiting for holiday windows.
Associates should refer to the discount card details in their Workday/one.Walmart portal for specifics on item eligibility, especially for edge-case categories.
They can also test eligibility directly in the app or cart before making a purchase.
Early reaction in employee communities has been positive.
Associates noted that a consistent 10% discount throughout the year may be more valuable than one-time holiday boosts.
Some employees also highlighted operational clarifications, such as the removal of “most grocery items excluded” language from internal discount pages.
While anecdotal, these reactions align with Walmart’s stated rationale that the update answers one of the most frequent benefit requests.
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