Walmart Expands Grocery Discount to 1.6 Million Employees Amid Inflation Concerns

HOUSTON  – Walmart, the largest private employer in the United States, announced Wednesday it is expanding its 10% employee discount to cover nearly all grocery items, including milk, meat, and frozen food, as renewed tariffs raise fears of higher prices.

The discount previously applied year-round to fresh produce and most general merchandise, with other grocery items included only during the holiday season. The change takes effect immediately for Walmart’s 1.6 million U.S. employees, who qualify after 90 days of employment. The expanded benefit now covers 95% of regularly priced items in-store.

In a memo to staff, Chief People Officer Donna Morris said the move responds to one of the company’s most requested benefits. “We’ve heard your feedback that these savings make a real difference for you and your families,” she wrote.

The announcement comes as U.S. consumers face uncertainty over the impact of new tariffs on everyday goods. While the latest Consumer Price Index showed food prices were flat in July, certain categories, such as household furnishings, posted notable increases. Walmart executives have previously warned that the scale of upcoming price hikes is beyond what most retailers can absorb.

The initiative could also serve as a recruitment and retention tool while encouraging employees to shop more frequently at Walmart. The announcement was made during the retailer’s holiday meeting in Houston, where Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner invited a store manager on stage to share the news.

Walmart will release its quarterly earnings on August 21.