Are the prices on Walmart online the same as in store? [You’ll Be Surprised]
It’s a common belief today that buying online is cheaper today…however, that could be wrong, depending on what you’re buying and where you’re shopping.
So I’m trying to figure out if Walmart’s online prices are the same as the in-store prices. Here’s what I found!
Are Walmart online prices the same as in-store prices?
In some cases, Walmart’s online prices may be more or less expensive than Walmart’s in-store prices. Because Walmart.com operates differently than brick-and-mortar stores, prices on electronics, groceries, clothing, and other items can vary widely.
Read on to discover the difference between Walmart’s online and in-store prices and how you can save!
Why are Walmart online prices different than their in-store prices?
One of the main reasons why Walmart online prices are so different from in-store prices is because Walmart.com operates as a separate entity.
Additionally, products sold on Walmart.com are stocked in fulfillment centers rather than in individual stores, so Walmart.com needs to discount its online prices to sell excess inventory in these warehouses.
Therefore, prices on Walmart.com may differ from in-store prices. Plus, it works the other way around, as Walmart stores may sell their excess inventory cheaper than online.
Even Walmart itself acknowledges this by listing certain products on its website at “online” or “in-store” prices.
So, since in-store and online prices can vary, it’s important for customers to understand Walmart’s hidden clearance and how to match online prices to in-store prices.
Are Walmart prices the same in all Walmart stores?
No, prices may vary by store, mostly because each Walmart store is responsible for managing its own inventory.
As a result, store managers may lower product prices to clear overstock, reward customers with in-store discounts, or compete with local retail competitors.
For this reason, prices can vary wildly from Walmart to Walmart (and it’s a shame that shoppers can’t price match between Walmarts!).
How to Make Sure You’re Getting the Cheapest Prices In-Store or Online
If you notice price differences in-store or online, Walmart offers price matching on the base price of items sold online at Walmart.com and Jet.com to offer the same items as those sold in Walmart stores.
To do this, customers must first inform Walmart associates of the price of the item. Additionally, related products must be currently in stock on walmart.com and be the same model, color and brand.
Walmart reserves the right to verify and check prices and availability of identical items at any time.
Also, if you find a product on Walmart.com that is cheaper at a local store, you can call Walmart customer service and request a price match online.
To see the full process, you can check out our full guide on price matching Walmart online prices.
Also, you can download the Walmart app in-store to see an item’s “actual price” as it may be on Walmart.com clearance.
Who is cheaper, Walmart or Amazon?
It’s hard to say which one is cheaper, it mainly depends on what type of product you buy. A 2018 study comparing 50 identical products from different categories found that Amazon was 10.37% more expensive than Walmart.
When comparing their delivery membership fees for online shopping, Amazon Prime is slightly more expensive than a Walmart+ subscription. An annual Amazon Prime subscription costs $119, while a Walmart+ annual subscription costs $98.
Overall, Walmart online and in-store prices are very close, although there are some variances and discrepancies in prices for some items. There isn’t a clear and consistent price difference between Walmart products sold online and those sold in brick-and-mortar stores.
To make sure you’re getting the lowest prices at Walmart, you can check out our guide to matching Walmart prices with Amazon.com and other stores like Home Depot, GameStop, Staples, and Best Buy. Also, you can check out our guide on Walmart’s incorrect pricing policy.
