Walmart is hoping to attract more members to its Walmart+ program ahead of the holidays with a special promotion. Shoppers who sign up for Walmart Plus from now until December 2 will be able to get a one-year subscription at a 50% discount.
Walmart Plus will now cost $49 for the one-year period compared to its usual $98 annual price. The program offers a number of benefits for subscribers, including early access to promotions and deals, free delivery and free shipping, fuel savings, and a complimentary subscription to the streaming service Paramount+.
The move is likely part of Walmart’s attempts to get shoppers through the door and encourage them to spend money on holiday purchases earlier than usual. The holiday season is already expected to be one of the weakest in recent memory, as high inflation and surging prices have prompted consumers to be significantly more cautious with their spending.
Walmart is also trying to accelerate the growth of Walmart+ and establish the program as a worthy rival to similar services. It is estimated that Walmart Plus will end 2024 with 32 million subscribers, while Amazon Prime, for example, has 180 million subscribers.
Walmart stock received a slight bump on Monday, closing at $82.75 per share. The company’s shares are 55.84% up year-to-date.