As a veteran or active military member, you know how valuable a good discount can be. When you‘re shopping for everyday essentials, having a few extra dollars in your pocket can make a big difference. Many retailers offer special discounts as a way to give back to those who serve our country – but what about Walmart?
Walmart is the world‘s largest retailer, with over 5,000 stores across the U.S. alone. So it‘s natural to wonder if they have any special savings for the military community. As a retail expert and savvy shopper, I dug deep to find the answer. Let‘s break it down:
Does Walmart Have a Military Discount?
The short answer is no – Walmart does not currently offer a standard military or veteran discount on purchases. Unlike some other major retailers, you won‘t find a flat 10% or 15% off for showing your military ID at the register.
But don‘t write off Walmart just yet! While they may not have a traditional military discount, Walmart supports the military community in a big way. In fact, they‘ve become a leader in corporate giving and hiring initiatives for veterans. Let‘s take a closer look.
How Walmart Gives Back to Veterans
Hiring Initiatives
In 2013, Walmart made a groundbreaking pledge to offer a job to any honorably discharged veteran within their first 12 months off active duty. The goal was to hire 250,000 veterans by 2023. To date, Walmart has hired over 320,000 veterans and 31,000 veteran spouses – blowing past their initial goal years early.
Walmart‘s commitment to hiring veterans has made them one of the largest private employers of former service members in the country. In fact, veterans make up almost 10% of Walmart‘s total U.S. workforce. The company recognizes the unique value that military experience brings and actively seeks out veteran talent.
Supporting Veteran-Owned Businesses
Walmart doesn‘t just hire veterans – they also do business with them. In 2011, the company set a goal to source $20 billion from veteran-owned businesses over five years. They met that goal in 2016 and have since continued to increase spending with these military family-run companies.
Some key stats on Walmart‘s support of veteran entrepreneurs:
- Walmart has spent over $40 billion with veteran-owned businesses since 2011
- They source from nearly 3,000 veteran-owned companies across all 50 states
- Veteran businesses make up almost 10% of Walmart‘s supplier base
For a small veteran-owned company, landing a contract with Walmart can be a major growth opportunity. Walmart actively seeks out these partnerships through events like VetSource, a program that connects veteran entrepreneurs directly to Walmart buyers.
Expanding Access to Healthcare
In 2019, Walmart partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs to launch a telehealth program for veterans. This service allows veterans to connect with VA doctors and specialists through video appointments at Walmart stores.
With over 150 VA-run telehealth clinics operating in Walmart stores across the country, this program makes healthcare more accessible for veterans, particularly those in underserved or rural areas. It‘s a prime example of how Walmart is leveraging its vast physical footprint for good.
Strengthening Military Communities
Through the Walmart Foundation, the company gives millions annually to nonprofits supporting veteran causes. In 2020 alone, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation awarded over $14 million in grants to organizations helping veterans facing challenges like unemployment, homelessness, and financial strain due to the pandemic.
Some of the major veteran-serving organizations Walmart has funded:
- Fisher House Foundation
- Operation Homefront
- Hire Heroes USA
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
- Institute for Veterans and Military Families
In total, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have given more than $40 million in support of the military community over the past decade. By investing in programs for job training, mental health, housing, and more, Walmart is helping to strengthen the social safety net for veterans.
Innovative Career Tools
Last year, Walmart launched a first-of-its kind digital platform called Find-a-Future, designed specifically to help veterans and military spouses build fulfilling careers. This one-stop shop provides tailored skills and interests assessments, resume tips, job postings, and educational resources.
The Find-a-Future platform isn‘t just aimed at recruiting veterans to work at Walmart (although it does that too). It‘s about empowering veterans with the tools and knowledge to find the right career fit, whether that‘s with Walmart or another employer. With this program, Walmart is showing a long-term commitment to setting veterans up for success.
Maximizing Savings at Walmart
So we‘ve established that Walmart doesn‘t have a traditional military discount. But savvy shoppers know there are still plenty of ways to stretch your dollar at the retail giant. Here are a few expert tips:
1. Always check for rollbacks and clearance.
Walmart regularly reduces prices on popular items in what they call "rollbacks." You can find rollback flags throughout the store or filter your online search to only show rollback deals. End of season, look for deep clearance discounts on everything from home goods to apparel.
2. Use cash-back apps and credit cards.
Apps like Ibotta and Rakuten allow you to earn cash back on Walmart purchases just by uploading a photo of your receipt. Several credit cards, like the Capital One Walmart Rewards Card, also offer bonus cash back on Walmart buys. These small percentages can add up to major savings over time.
3. Stack coupons and promo codes.
Before checking out, always do a quick search for Walmart promo codes online. Sites like RetailMeNot or Slickdeals often have discount codes you can apply to your purchase. You can also use manufacturer‘s coupons on top of Walmart‘s everyday low prices for bonus savings, particularly on household essentials.
4. Consider the Walmart+ membership.
If you‘re a frequent Walmart shopper, their new Walmart+ subscription could be worth the investment. For $98 a year, you get perks like free delivery, mobile scan & go, and fuel discounts. If these benefits would save you more than the membership price, it‘s a smart way to cut costs.
5. Look for special promotions around holidays.
While Walmart doesn‘t do a specific military discount for Veterans Day, they often run other sales events for major shopping holidays like Black Friday, back-to-school, and more. Keep an eye out for these seasonal deals to snag deep discounts, especially on big-ticket items.
How Walmart‘s Military Support Compares
Walmart is hardly the only major retailer supporting the military community. Let‘s take a look at how their initiatives stack up against some of the other big names in the game:
| Retailer | Hiring Commitment | Charitable Giving | Military Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | 320,000+ veterans hired since 2013 | $40 million+ in grants to vet orgs | No discount |
| Amazon | 40,000+ veterans and spouses hired | $9 million to vet orgs since 2011 | No discount |
| Target | 10,000+ vets hired; dedicated vet recruiting | $14 million to vet causes since 2017 | 10% off on Veterans Day |
| The Home Depot | 35,000+ vets hired; vet recruiting program | $500 million pledge to vet causes | 10% off for military |
| Lowe‘s | 18,000+ vets hired; vet recruiting program | $180 million to vet causes | 10% off for military |
As you can see, Walmart far outpaces the competition in terms of sheer numbers. They‘ve hired more veterans than Amazon, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe‘s combined. While Walmart doesn‘t offer a military discount like some of these other retailers, they make up for it in the scale and scope of their charitable giving and employment efforts.
Other Major Retailers with Military Discounts
While Walmart may not be the right choice if you‘re looking for an everyday military discount, plenty of other well-known retailers do offer savings for military members and veterans. Here‘s a quick rundown:
Apparel & Shoes:
- Nike: 10% off for military members, spouses, and dependents
- Under Armour: 20% off for military, veterans, and first responders
- Adidas: 30% off for military and family members
- ASICS: 40% off for active duty, veterans, and family
- Reebok: 30% off for military and family
Home & Hardware:
- The Home Depot: 10% off for active duty, veterans, and spouses
- Lowe‘s: 10% off for active duty, veterans, and spouses
- Bed Bath & Beyond: 25% off for active duty, veterans, and family
- Overstock: Club O Rewards membership free for active duty military
- Pottery Barn: 15% off in-store for active duty, retirees, and family
Technology & Electronics:
- Apple: Special discounts on select products for military and government
- Best Buy: Varying discount amounts for My Best Buy Military members
- Samsung: Discount program for active duty and veterans
- Dell: 10% off for military members and family
- HP: Discounts on select products for military members
To access these discounts, you‘ll typically need to verify your military status online or show a valid form of military ID at checkout. Acceptable IDs could include:
- Common Access Card (CAC)
- Uniformed Services ID Card
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
- Veteran ID Card
- State-issued driver‘s license with veteran designation
Some retailers use third-party verification services like ID.me to confirm military status for online purchases. Others may have their own in-house verification process. Either way, it‘s important to have your military credentials ready to go if you want to take advantage of these savings.
FAQs About Walmart Military Discounts
To wrap things up, let‘s address some of the most common questions and misconceptions about Walmart‘s military discount policies:
Q: Does Walmart give a military discount on Veterans Day?
A: No, Walmart does not currently offer a special military discount on Veterans Day. However, they often run other promotions and sales around that time that military members can take advantage of.
Q: Can I use my military discount on top of other sales or coupons at Walmart?
A: Walmart doesn‘t have a specific military discount, so there‘s nothing to stack on top of other deals. But you can combine coupons, promo codes, and cash-back offers to maximize your savings.
Q: If Walmart doesn‘t have a military discount, why should veterans shop there?
A: While Walmart may not offer an exclusive discount, they support the military community in many other ways – from massive hiring initiatives to millions in charitable giving. Plus, their everyday low prices and rollback deals mean you can still save significantly on your shopping.
Q: Does Walmart have any special products for the military community?
A: Yes, Walmart does carry a selection of military-themed items like apparel, home decor, and gift items. You can find many of these products grouped together in the "Americana" section of the store or by searching online.
Q: Are there any other perks for veterans shopping at Walmart?
A: If you‘re a Walmart employee, you can take advantage of the 10% associate discount. With Walmart‘s huge veteran workforce, this is a substantial perk for those who served. The Walmart+ membership also offers benefits like free delivery that could add up to major savings for frequent shoppers.
The Bottom Line
To sum it up – no, Walmart does not have a military discount in the traditional sense. You won‘t get a percentage off your purchase for showing your military ID like you might at some other big box stores.
But that doesn‘t mean Walmart isn‘t supporting the military community in a big way. Through groundbreaking employment initiatives, billions spent with veteran-owned businesses, and millions donated to military support organizations, Walmart has become a leader in corporate giving for those who‘ve served.
Plus, with a little savvy shopping strategy, veterans and military families can still save a bundle at Walmart. Rollback deals, clearance items, rebate apps, and seasonal promotions are just a few of the ways you can stretch your dollar further.
At the end of the day, supporting the military is about more than just a discount – it‘s about recognizing the sacrifices made by those who serve. And in that regard, Walmart is setting an admirable example with its commitment to empowering the veteran community through employment, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.
The next time you‘re shopping at Walmart, take a moment to appreciate all they‘re doing to give back to those who‘ve given so much for our country. And if you‘re a veteran looking to build a career or grow a business, don‘t overlook the opportunities and resources Walmart provides.
Disclaimer: All military discount information is accurate as of the publication date. Policies may be subject to change over time, so always check with the retailer for the most up-to-date details.
