Walmart has announced a major expansion of its employee discount programme. The company is giving US workers 10 per cent off on nearly all food categories, including dairy, frozen, dry grocery, meat, and seafood, as well as general merchandise and fashion. The updated benefit, which took effect Wednesday, 13 August, now applies to about 95 per cent of the retailer’s regularly priced items.
The expanded programme was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Previously, the broader discount was only available during the holiday season. For the rest of the year, employees received 10 per cent off fresh produce and most general merchandise. Walmart said the change responds to employee feedback and aims to offer more meaningful savings for workers and their families.
The announcement comes as Walmart faces rising costs due to newly- implemented tariffs on goods from nearly 70 countries. In May, the company confirmed it would need to raise some prices to offset the impact, citing narrow retail margins. A CNBC price tracking analysis in July found increases in products such as milk, frying pans, jeans and coffee.
The new discount policy was unveiled in a letter to employees and in a video message from Kieran Shanahan,COO, Walmart, during the company’s annual Holiday Meeting. Some workers said they had already noticed the change in recent purchases.
Eligible US employees can access the discount after 90 days of employment, while those with 20 years of service retain the benefit for life.
