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Walmart Is Making This In-Demand Necessity Cheaper

But, there is a catch.
FACT CHECKED BY Faye Brennan

Grocery shoppers know all too well about price increases in 2022. With inflation rising to around 8% compared to this time last year, supermarket bills have skyrocketed. During this time, Walmart has continuously vowed to shoppers that its products won't be getting more expensive—and the company just took its promise one step further by offering a discount on one currently costly necessity: gas.

In recent weeks, many grocery store chains have seen shoppers flock to their gas pumps in order to fill up their cars for cheap. Some have even signed up for a Costco membership to save on gas or loaded up on gift cards at Kroger to get more rewards points that equal savings. Now, Walmart is getting into the game by giving Walmart+ members an extra "per gallon" discount, as well as offering more incentives than its competitors.

Not only is the $0.10 off per gallon for Walmart+ members available at Walmart and Sam's Club-brand gas stations, but members can also get the discount at 12,000 other Exxon and Mobil gas stations across the country.

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"Ninety-one percent of our customers are aware of the increased prices at the pump and nearly half of those told us they are changing behaviors because of them," Chris Cracchiolo, the Senior Vice President & General Manager of Walmart+, said in a statement on Walmart's website. "We want Walmart+ to help our customers save time and money, not only when they're shopping with us, but throughout their day. We're excited to continue to find new ways to deliver for them."

Walmart gas
Courtesy of Walmart

But, there is a catch…

The discount comes with a price since it's only available to Walmart+ members. The service is $12.95 a month or $98 a year, and includes other perks, like free grocery delivery and reserved delivery times, free shipping on online orders, some zero-dollar prescriptions, Scan & Go checkout, early access to sales events and promotions, and even six free months of Spotify Premium (a $59 value).

It's hard to predict if the gas savings is worth the monthly fee, but for big Walmart fans, it very well could be.

Since last summer, Walmart leaders have said they will prioritize sales and Rollbacks to incentivize shoppers to choose their store over others. The company also reports that even though they have been forced to raise the price of some items, it's keeping the same number of sales in stores.

Although America's largest retail chain just ranked dead-last in a customer satisfaction survey, shoppers did rank it above Costco in one area: its online shopping experience. Read all about why here.

Amanda McDonald
Amanda has a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in digital journalism from Loyola University Chicago. Read more about Amanda