Walmart wants consumers to shop in its stores more often so it offers cheap gas at many locations. It wants consumers to use its reloadable Walmart gift cards, MoneyCards or a company branded Discover credit card so it is now offering a perk for those who use the cards to buy gas.
As of yesterday, Walmart is taking 10 cents a gallon off of gas purchases at locations in 18 states when consumers use one of its cards. The offer is available through Sept. 30.
"Our customers have told us that high gas prices are a top budget concern, nearly as large an expense to their households as food and groceries," said Stephen Quinn, chief marketing officer for Walmart, in a press release. "We listen to our customers and because we know they are feeling squeezed by gas prices, we're implementing this gas rollback to help them save, especially during high travel summer months."
Walmart believes its program has an advantage over various fuel perks offered elsewhere.
"It's important to us that we extend this offer to everyone, not just Walmart customers shopping in our stores, without requiring any other type of purchase," said Mr. Quinn. "Our goal is to make it easy for everyone to save and live better, and we think this gas program is leading in the market because it doesn't require any additional purchase, loyalty card or other restrictions."
One shopper, Wanda Keys of Beaumont, TX, told the Beaumont Enterprise, "We always get gas at Walmart because of the gift card. Before the 10-cent deal, we were already getting three cents off."