UsersRatedWalmart Does NOT Price Match Competitors
Walmart stopped matching competitor prices in 2020. They do not match Amazon, Target, Best Buy, Costco, or any other retailer. If a Walmart associate offers to match a competitor's price, that's at their individual discretion — it's not official policy.
The only price matching Walmart officially does is Walmart.com vs. in-store prices.
What Walmart Does Price Match
Walmart's price match has one scenario where it still applies:
Walmart.com vs. Walmart Store Prices
If an item is listed cheaper on Walmart.com than at your local store (or the reverse), Walmart will match the lower price. This applies to the same item at the same Walmart — it's essentially an internal price consistency policy.
How to use it:
- Open the Walmart app and find the item at the lower price
- Show it to a store associate or cashier
- They'll verify and adjust the price at checkout
Why Did Walmart Stop Price Matching?
Walmart used to have a comprehensive price match program called Savings Catcher — you'd scan your receipt in the Walmart app, and the app would automatically compare prices against local competitors and refund the difference if it found a lower price anywhere.
Savings Catcher was discontinued in 2019. Walmart also stopped in-store competitor price matching around the same time.
The official reason Walmart gave: Everyday Low Prices. Walmart's core strategy is to price items competitively from the start — they negotiate directly with suppliers for lower wholesale costs and pass those savings to customers. The company argued that EDLP made price matching unnecessary.
The practical reality: managing and verifying competitor price matches was expensive and created opportunities for fraud. As online price comparison became easier, the complexity and cost of running a price match program increased significantly.
How to Save at Walmart Without Price Matching
Since Walmart won't match competitor prices, here are your best alternatives:
Walmart Rollback Deals
Walmart regularly marks items with "Rollback" pricing — temporary price reductions. Check the Walmart app or look for yellow signage in-store. These can be significant savings on high-demand items.
Walmart+ Membership Benefits
Walmart+ ($98/year) includes free shipping on orders over $35, free grocery delivery, gas discounts at Exxon/Mobil, and Paramount+ streaming. These perks can offset the cost quickly for regular shoppers.
Digital Coupons in the Walmart App
The Walmart app has a coupons section with manufacturer and Walmart-specific digital coupons. Clip them in the app before shopping and they apply automatically at checkout.
Cash-Back Credit Cards
Using a cash-back credit card at Walmart is essentially a percentage off everything. Cards like the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard offer 5% back on Walmart.com purchases and 2% in-store.
Shop Target Instead (They Do Price Match)
If price matching competitors is important to you, Target actively price matches Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and dozens of other retailers. Target gives you 14 days after purchase to claim a match.
Use Google Shopping
Search Google Shopping before buying to compare prices across retailers in real time. If Amazon or another store is cheaper, buy there instead — you won't need a price match.
Walmart vs. Competitors: Price Match Comparison
| Retailer | Price Matches Competitors? | Window | Amazon Match? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | No ❌ | N/A | No ❌ |
| Target | Yes ✓ | 14 days | Yes ✓ |
| Best Buy | Yes ✓ | 15 days | Yes ✓ |
| Home Depot | Yes ✓ | 30 days | Limited |
| Lowe's | Yes ✓ | 30 days | Yes ✓ |
| Costco | No ❌ | N/A | No ❌ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Walmart price match competitors?
No. Walmart stopped price matching competitors in 2020. They no longer match prices from Amazon, Target, Best Buy, or any other retailer. The only price match Walmart currently offers is between their own Walmart.com and physical store prices.
Will Walmart match Amazon prices?
No. Walmart does not match Amazon prices or any other competitor's prices. If you find a lower price at Amazon, you'll need to buy from Amazon directly or look for a Walmart coupon or Rollback deal that brings the price down.
What is Walmart's current price match policy?
Walmart's only current price match is between their own channels: if an item is cheaper on Walmart.com than in your local store (or vice versa), Walmart will match the lower price. This is essentially an internal price consistency policy, not a competitor match.
When did Walmart stop price matching?
Walmart began phasing out competitor price matching in 2016 and fully discontinued it in 2020. They cited their "Everyday Low Prices" strategy as the reason — they believe their prices are already competitive without needing to match others.
Does Walmart match its own online prices?
Yes. If Walmart.com has a lower price than your local store, Walmart will match it in-store. Show the Walmart.com price to a store associate. This also works in reverse — some in-store prices may be lower than online.
What can I do instead of a Walmart price match?
Your best options are: (1) Use the Walmart app to find Rollback deals and digital coupons, (2) Join Walmart+ for benefits like free shipping and gas discounts, (3) Use a cash-back credit card for savings on every Walmart purchase, (4) Check competing retailers like Target that do offer price matching.