Walmart is already a bargain shopper’s dream. But did you know you can take your savings to the next level with a little extra digging and planning? From groceries to gadgets to other household necessities—savvy shoppers know that you can really hone in on their Walmart deals with these 15 insider secrets.
Choose the Right Days to Shop
Not all shopping days are made equally. Certain days can offer better deals and markdowns than others at Walmart. For instance, on Wednesdays you can usually count on great deals on grocery items. Try shopping on Monday for amazing electronic deals. You can also reference the Walmart app or website for specific sale deals.
Know When Clearance Hits
Certain times of year will offer better deals on certain items. We all know about Black Friday but savvy shoppers know you can score huge savings throughout the year too. Try shopping post-holiday for deals on decorations and gifts. You can also get discounted winter clothes in the spring or vice versa in the winter.
Try Early Morning or Late-Night Shopping
You heard what they said about the early bird getting the worm, right? Well, there is something to be said about getting in on the deals while everyone else is sleeping. Try finding great clearance deals as soon as they’re stocked in the late evenings or early mornings. You’ll be the first to look through sales items and not have to compete with the crowds.
Don’t Forget to Use the Walmart App
Walmart app users are at a huge advantage when it comes to scoring the best deals. Not only do you have the ability to see what’s on clearance quicker, you can also use in-app tools such as price checking and the barcode scanner to optimize your shopping experience. There are so many great features to explore on the app.
Take Advantage of Walmart Rewards
Rewards are a great way to rack up the savings at Walmart. One way to score big is to use the Capital One Walmart Rewards Card. For the first 12 months, you can get 5% cashback when you shop in-store or online. After the first year, you get 2% cashback on all Walmart purchases. If you don’t want to commit to a credit card, you can also use the app-linked reward systems for special membership perks.
Be on the Lookout For Hidden Clearance
Sometimes there are discount items at Walmart hidden in plain sight. You should always scan items with the Walmart app to see if they are priced properly. Remember, yellow tags are discounted while white are typically full price. If you see a white tag in the discount section, it may be cheaper than it’s marked. Discover these “secret” discounts with the scanning feature in the app.
Use Price Drop Alerts
The Walmart app offers an early look at in-store and online price drops and sales. Be sure to set up push notifications to be the first to find out about these deals. Savvy shoppers also use third-party apps or browser extensions such as Honey or Rakuten to get notifications on deals too.
Pay Attention to Clearance Tag Codes
We already discussed the different meanings of Walmart tag colors—yellow is discounted and white is full price. But you can also find out more information on sales items by taking a look at pricing codes. If you see that an item ends in $0.03 or $0.07, that means it’s on final markdown.
Look Up, Down, and Behind
Don’t be afraid to roll your sleeves up and dig for your deals. You could find hidden gems in pretty unusual places. Make sure to look at both the very top and bottom shelves. You can also check behind and underneath discount shelves too. You may uncover some great deals.
Savvy Price Matching
Walmart is famous for its price matching deals. When you find something in another store that’s cheaper, you can bring proof to Walmart and get that item at a discount. While this policy is more limited than the past, you can still attempt to bring it up to see if your local store will honor it.
Buy in Bulk Wisely
Sometimes buying in bulk can offer huge per-unit savings. But you have to buy wisely to save. Focus on pantry staples, household items, freezer-friendly foods, and kids’ snacks. Be sure to check the “price per ounce” or “per count” to compare with smaller items to see if you really are getting a good deal by going with the bigger option.
Always Use Coupons & Rollbacks
Never underestimate how useful coupons and rollbacks can be. Before your shopping trip, check the Walmart app or website to search for digital coupons. You can also use third-party apps such as Groupon, Swagbucks, or Ibotta for coupons and rebates. Once you get to the store, keep your eyes peeled for yellow rollback signs.
Remember to Ask Associates for Info
Use your local Walmart associates as a resource. They can offer you insider knowledge on when the next sales will be released or when they will stock clearance items. If you’re really dedicated to getting the scoop on deals, it can be valuable to form relationships with your local Walmart employees.
Know Your Store Layout
The better you know your local Walmart layout, the easier it will be to score deals. The clearance sections are not always placed in the most intuitive areas. Be sure to take inventory of the entire store and take note of any hidden sale corners so you can know where to look for the best deals.
Be on the Watch for “Zebra” Price Labels
Many Walmarts are moving towards digital shelf labels (DSLs) so they can change the prices in real time. If you happen to see special “zebra” price labels instead, that could mean the item is discounted or it’s on a manager markdown. Be sure to use the app to scan these items to double-check their prices.
