Does Walmart Price Match Best Buy in 2022? Here‘s What You Need to Know as an Amazon Seller
If you sell products online through retail arbitrage or Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon), you likely source inventory from major retailers like Walmart and Best Buy. But in 2022, understanding whether Walmart price matches with Best Buy is essential knowledge for maximizing your profits.
As an experienced Amazon seller, I‘ll explain everything you need to know about Walmart and Best Buy‘s current price match policies. I‘ll also provide tips to help you capitalize on pricing differences between these major retailers when sourcing products to resell.
The Short Answer: No, Walmart Does Not Price Match Best Buy Anymore
First, let me clearly state the brief answer upfront: No, as of 2022 Walmart does not price match Best Buy or other competitor pricing. This includes both in-store and online prices.
Walmart ended its generous "Savings Catcher" price match program in 2019 for U.S. stores, and in 2020 for Canada. This program previously allowed customers to submit proof of a competitor‘s lower price, and receive a refund of the difference from Walmart.
But now, Walmart only matches prices between Walmart.com and brick-and-mortar Walmart stores under strict limits. Competitors like Best Buy are excluded.
As An Amazon Seller, Here‘s How Walmart‘s Policy Change Impacts You
As an Amazon seller sourcing inventory from major retailers, Walmart‘s discontinued price match policy means you can no longer depend on getting Walmart to match a lower Best Buy price.
This could cut into your selling margins if you previously relied on Walmart‘s Savings Catcher or price matching to get the lowest price between the two retailers.
For example, let‘s say you find a TV model selling for $300 at Best Buy, but it‘s priced at $350 at Walmart. Previously, you could simply have Walmart match the Best Buy $300 price.
But now in 2022, you‘ll have to pay $350 at Walmart even though it‘s $50 cheaper at Best Buy for the identical item. This means reduced profit potential per unit sold.
Walmart vs. Best Buy Electronics Revenue: Fierce Market Rivals
To understand the impact of Walmart ending competitor price matching, it helps to look at Walmart and Best Buy‘s massive electronics revenue. They are fierce rivals in this space.
Retailer | Electronics Revenue 2021 |
---|---|
Walmart | $34.88 billion |
Best Buy | $37.26 billion |
As you can see from the table above, Walmart and Best Buy generate tens of billions in U.S. electronics sales each year. Both rely heavily on competitive pricing to court customers in this market segment.
Previously as an Amazon seller, you could easily source electronics from whichever retailer had the lowest price, knowing Walmart would match it if needed.
But now you‘ll have to be savvier in selecting the best value between Walmart vs. Best Buy when sourcing hot selling electronics for resale online.
Maximizing Profits Sourcing Electronics at Walmart vs. Best Buy
Here are a few tips for getting the best deals on electronics like TVs, laptops, and gaming items when sourcing inventory at Walmart and Best Buy today:
Check Both Stores‘ Prices: Don‘t assume one retailer will always be cheaper. Compare item prices across both stores.
Consider Bundle Deals: If Walmart has a better bundle deal on an item + warranty, accessories, etc., it may be cheaper overall than a standalone product at Best Buy.
Leverage Best Buy‘s Price Matching: If an identical item is cheaper at Walmart, bring evidence to Best Buy and have them match it.
Look for Price Mistakes: Occasionally there are in-store pricing errors you can take advantage of at either retailer.
Compare Online Prices: Sometimes retailer websites have sales not offered in-store. Review both Walmart.com and BestBuy.com for deals.
Pros and Cons of Sourcing Electronics from Walmart vs. Best Buy
Below I‘ve compared some of the key pros and cons to factor in when deciding where to source the electronics items you plan to resell via retail arbitrage or FBA:
Walmart
Pros
- Everyday low prices on many products
- Wide assortment of electronics in-store
- Frequent online electronics deals
Cons
- No price matching
- Hit or miss inventory/selection in-store
- Online prices may differ from in-store
Best Buy
Pros
- Price matches Walmart and other competitors
- Specializes in electronics so great selection
- Excellent customer service and electronics expertise
Cons
- Pricing isn‘t always the lowest
- Limited inventory of hot/trending electronics
- Some price matching exclusions apply
The Bottom Line – Shop Smart and Maximize Your Profits
As an Amazon seller, being aware of retailers‘ price match policies – or lack thereof – is key when sourcing inventory. While Walmart no longer matches Best Buy prices, you can still get Walmart‘s low prices at Best Buy through price matching.
Use tips like checking bundle deals, hunting for unadvertised in-store sales, and comparing online prices across retailers. This will ensure you maximize sourcing profits in a world where Walmart and Best Buy no longer match competitor pricing.
Knowledge is power when it comes to profiting from retail arbitrage and Amazon FBA. I hope this breakdown of Walmart vs. Best Buy‘s 2022 price matching policies has been helpful for your business! Let me know if you have any other questions.