Walmart’s answer to Amazon Prime, Walmart+, is partly removing a $35 minimum to receive free shipping on orders.
The change—which goes into effect on Friday, Dec. 4—promises to make Walmart+ more competitive with Amazon Prime, which already offers free shipping on all eligible orders, without needing to reach a minimum.
“Customers have been clear—they want this benefit,” said Janey Whiteside, Walmart’s chief customer officer in a statement. “Being able to toss an item into your cart, regardless the total, and check out right away lets them knock little things off their to do list in no time."
Walmart+ launched in September and costs $12.95 a month or $98 a year. The fee is a notch lower than a yearly $119 Amazon Prime subscription. However, Walmart’s program contained some fine print about the “free, unlimited delivery service:” It only applies to orders that reach a minimum of $35.
Now Walmart is removing the requirement—but not completely. The upcoming change only applies to orders placed on Walmart.com, which ship from the company’s warehouses. Those packages can take a day or two before they arrive. Same-day orders made from local Walmart stores, on the other hand, like groceries, will still carry the $35 minimum requirement.
The retail giant has a ways to go if it wants to fully compete against Amazon’s Prime program, which offers other perks, including access to TV shows and music. But in the meantime, Walmart said it’s also expanding the number of locations Walmart+ members can use their gas fuel savings to fill up their cars. “That means customers now have access to fuel discounts at more than 2,000 Walmart, Murphy USA and Murphy Express fuel stations, as well as access to Sam’s Club member pricing at more than 500 Sam’s Club locations,” the company said.