Walmart’s Expanded Employee Discount Drives 38th-Ranked $1.97 Billion Trading Volume as Shares Drop 2.54%

Walmart (WMT) fell 2.54% on August 13, 2025, with a trading volume of $1.97 billion, ranking 38th in market activity. The discount retail giant announced an expanded 10% employee discount on nearly all grocery items, including dairy, meat, and frozen foods, effective immediately. This marks a significant broadening of a previously seasonal benefit that had applied to fresh produce and general merchandise. The policy change, communicated by Chief People Officer Donna Morris, now covers 95% of regularly priced items across stores and online, aiming to enhance workforce retention and drive internal sales. With 1.6 million U.S. employees eligible after 90 days of employment, the move aligns with broader efforts to mitigate inflationary pressures while addressing employee feedback on cost-saving measures.

The adjustment comes amid ongoing concerns about tariff-driven inflation and its impact on consumer spending. While Walmart has historically positioned itself as a low-price leader, the company recently acknowledged that recent cost increases exceed typical retail absorption capacity. The expanded discount could incentivize employees to direct more spending toward Walmart’s stores and e-commerce platforms, potentially offsetting external competition from grocers and other retailers. The policy also reflects a strategic shift to balance employee satisfaction with operational resilience, particularly as the company prepares to report earnings on August 21.

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