Walmart launched a combined annual membership on Tuesday that pairs Walmart+ and Sam’s Club Plus for $120 per year. The bundle arrives as high grocery and energy costs squeeze household budgets, offering shoppers a discount of nearly $100 compared to purchasing the two programs separately.
The new offering gives members access to store benefits from both retail chains, including warehouse store admission, free delivery on eligible orders, streaming services, and fuel discounts. The program requires an annual commitment with no monthly payment option or free trial period, according to the company’s retail rollout.
John Furner Announces the Combined Bundle on Good Morning America
Walmart President and CEO John Furner unveiled the membership exclusively during a broadcast appearance.
We’re giving people a reason to expect more from their memberships … we’re raising expectations for what a membership can deliver: more money in their pockets and more time to call their own.
John Furner, President and CEO, Walmart Inc.
The membership structure targets shoppers who routinely balance everyday essentials from neighborhood supercenters with bulk-quantity purchases from wholesale clubs.
Bank of America analyst Christopher Nardone noted in a recent client note that the membership model represents a substantial opportunity for the corporation. According to Nardone, shoppers with a Walmart+ subscription spend roughly four times more than non-members, while advertising initiatives and marketplace expansion continue to perform strongly.
Deutsche Bank analyst Krisztina Katai recently upgraded the stock to a Buy rating from Neutral, pointing out that current inflationary pressures should reinforce the company’s value proposition and support accelerated market share gains. During the fiscal second-quarter earnings call in August, Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey reported that consumer spending remained strong despite higher fuel prices, allowing the company to raise its financial outlook for the year.
Combined Membership Costs Less than Separate Plans
Purchasing Walmart+ and Sam’s Club Plus separately typically totals $218 per year. The standalone Walmart+ plan costs $98 annually or $12.95 per month, while a standalone Sam’s Club Plus membership runs $120 a year, alongside a basic club tier priced at $60.
The combined subscription places Walmart directly against major subscription and warehouse competitors across the retail sector.
| Retailer Program | Annual Cost | Monthly Option |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart and Sam’s Club Combined | $120 | No |
| Target Circle 360 | $49 | $4.99 |
| Amazon Prime | $139 | Available |
| Costco Standard | $65 | No |
| Costco Executive | $130 | No |
| BJ’s Wholesale Standard | $60 | No |
| BJ’s Club+ | $120 | No |
Current members can link their existing accounts through online platforms or mobile applications. Annual Walmart+ members can add Sam’s Club Plus for an additional $22 per year, while existing Sam’s Club Plus members can activate Walmart+ at no additional charge.
Walmart Expands Price Rollbacks as Inflation Rises
The launch coincides with accelerated consumer price increases. Inflation climbed 3.7% in September compared with the previous year, driven largely by energy and grocery costs, according to government data cited by market reporting.
Furner acknowledged that shoppers have experienced financial stress, noting that spending habits shifted noticeably following the conclusion of the first quarter. In response, the company expanded price rollbacks from over 7,000 items at the end of the first quarter to approximately 11,000 items by the close of the second quarter.
US Field Associates Receive Combined Membership Benefits
Alongside the public launch, Walmart confirmed that U.S. field associates across both retail divisions will receive the combined membership as part of their workplace benefits package.
Corporate leadership noted that any expenses associated with restructuring the membership program are not expected to materially alter the company’s fiscal third-quarter or full-year financial guidance.