8 Secrets to Shopping at Walmart We Heard Straight from an Employee (2024)

Walmart is really delivering when it comes to cute housewares and stylish home essentials, and it has not gone unnoticed. The website is a treasure trove of goodies, but if you prefer to shop in person, you won’t be disappointed to spot some great finds in-store, too.

There’s a reason people already love Walmart: you can buy anything you need all under one roof for low prices. But since options are so vast whether you’re shopping online or in-person, it’s easy to miss out on the best finds.

Luckily, we have a friend on the inside. We recently connected with a Walmart employee who gave us the scoop for shopping their aisles and coming home with the best of the best.

Sales Are Never Kept Secret

Walmart is known for their low prices, and Salmon says this is intentional. “It’s our mission to help make a beautiful home accessible for everyone, no matter their style or budget,” Salmon says.

Because of this, the brand isn’t secretive about when items go on sale. In fact, they regularly offer Rollbacks on top of their pre-existing low price points—and summer is a particularly great time to spot these deals.

“Walmart has thousands of summer Rollbacks active right now on items across the store, including home goods,” Salmon says. “Customers can find these savings for up to 90 days in stores and online so they can save no matter how they choose to shop.”

Salmon also notes that because of how ever-present Walmart is, you’re likely to always find what you need—and probably within a very short drive. “Fun fact: there’s a Walmart store within a 10-mile radius of 90% of the population,” Salmon says, who also points out that there are 4,700 stores across the US.

Exclusive Collaborations Often Become Cult Faves

According to Brian Salmon, vice president of Walmart U.S. Merchandising for patio and garden, you should look to the company’s exclusive collaborations for the pieces that are most likely to go viral. Salmon specifically cites the Beautiful Drew Chair by Drew Barrymore (priced under $300), a Dave and Jenny Marrs Porch Swing, and this Kate and Laurel Arendahl Traditional Arch Mirror, as social media favorites that are great finds.

“These exclusive collaborations offer customers the latest on-trend home décor from their favorite celebrities and designers at a fraction of the cost,” Salmon explains. If you want to be ahead of the viral curve, definitely keep an eye on their exclusive collaborations and celebrity partnerships.

You’re Not Imagining It: Their Home Goods Have Improved

If you were wondering if their growing home goods assortment is just a short-lived fluke, Salmon assures us it’s not. In fact, Salmon says it’s been a priority in recent years to expand their home assortment to include high-quality and stylish home goods and decor.These aisles in-store are always worth a scan if you're looking for a new piece or design accent—you truly never know what you might find!

Always Check Walmart for the Latest Viral Find

One thing Salmon notes is that, because of its expansive list of brands and products, you can find almost any viral product within Walmart’s aisles as soon as it's taken the internet by storm.

“If you see something going viral on social, you can likely find it at Walmart,” says Salmon. “Like the Outdoor Egg Chair and Salted Coconut & Mahogany Scented 2-Wick Frosted Bell Jar Candle from Better Homes & Gardens.”

Online Shoppers Have an Advantage

While shopping in-person is sometimes necessary or preferred, Salmon says that online shoppers can really benefit from one online-only tool that you might not know about: Walmart’s AR-enabled ‘View in Your Home’ technology.

“You can see how furniture looks in your space before you buy,” Salmon says. “With just a few swipes of their phone, customers can better visualize what items might look like before purchasing, making it easier and more personalized to shop for home goods.”

Walmart Is a Great Place for Garden and Lawn Care

While some of Walmart's competitors are considered the go-to place for lawn care, Salmon notes that Walmart’s wide range of gardening and lawn care products is often underrated. Seeing as this year is all about turning your outdoor space into an extension of your home, Walmart is a particularly great spot for keeping with the backyard trends of the moment.

“With everything from spring flowers to organic lawncare and outdoor furniture, customers can find all the essentials for designing their outdoor oasis, maintaining a garden, and beyond,” Salmon says.

There Are Multiple Delivery Options to Choose From

Walmart is one of those stores that you’re likely to pop into when you realize you need something, but Salmon says the store’s delivery options are often overlooked. Using the website or app, you can arrange everything from curbside pickup to delivery within two hours, making it just as convenient as some of its online counterpoints.

Sales Are Often Seasonal and Holiday-Related

Obviously, like most big retailers, Walmart is known for its holiday sales, such as Memorial Day and Black Friday. But Salmon points out that there are tons of great seasonal events that often make it easy to stock up for the months ahead.

Right now, for instance, summer Rollbacks make it a great time to buy an outdoor rug or other patio and backyard must-haves to spruce up your outdoor space. This also means it's a myth that you can only score great deals after a season is over and in preparation for next year.

“Customers can always find great deals before, during, and after major holidays and seasonal moments,” says Salmon.

Better Homes & Gardensis owned byThe Spruce’sparent company, Dotdash Meredith.