5 Reasons Why Walmart Milk Is So Cheap! 

Milk is a staple in many consumers’ kitchens, with over 58% of Americans drinking milk as a quality source of protein and calcium. When customers visit their local Walmart store for everyday essentials, they’ll expect to buy milk at discount prices.

However, if you have ever visited a Walmart, you would have noticed that they sell milk at incredibly low prices. So, why is Walmart’s milk so cheap? Here is what I discovered!

5 Reasons Why Walmart Milk Is So Cheap!

Walmart sells cheap milk to attract larger volumes of consumers to stores where they’ll purchase additional goods, generating overall profits. Additionally, Walmart saves on hefty manufacturing and importation costs by producing their milk at privately labeled milk at their own facilities. 

If you’d like to know the 5 primary reasons why milk at Walmart is so cheap, where it comes from, and the strategy behind the price point, then keep reading!

1. Walmart Sells Milk At A Loss

Walmart maintains a low price point on traditional milk and lactose alternatives, even if that means selling at a loss (also known as a loss leader).

As a result, consumers that head to their local Walmart in search of discounted milk products are more likely to spend additional money on regular-priced groceries.

However, as a department store, customers tend to spend more money than they initially expected on non-grocery products.

2. Walmart’s Low-Cost Milk Attracts Customers

Walmart strategically reacts to the growing price of milk by offering multiple cheaper alternatives. 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart store, providing the company with a large community of consumers seeking affordable dairy produce.

Additionally, customers are increasingly opting for low-priced milk and dairy products instead of costly organic or branded options.

Also, grocery stores have seen a sharp rise in the price of branded milk options, influencing customers to go for Walmart’s cheaper alternatives.

3. Walmart’s Private Label Milk

If you’ve ever shopped at Walmart, you’ll be familiar with their company-owned brand, Great Value.

In recent years, Walmart opened its first U.S. milk production facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, producing milk under the Great Value Brand.

Additionally, Walmart is set to acquire around 25 milk plants within a 210-mile radius of their new facility.

In light of this, Walmart skips on hefty supplier costs meaning they can afford to sell milk that lives up to its Great Value name.

Consequently, Walmart’s milk manufacturing sites put local dairy farms at risk of closure, reducing the choice of milk available on the market.

4. Offering Milk Cheaper Than Its Competitors

Walmart is determined to beat its competitors on price, particularly on basic necessities such as milk.

Customers can expect to pay just $1.48 for half a gallon of reduced/whole traditional or chocolate milk. For the price of an extra dollar, customers can purchase an entire gallon costing $2.46.

To give you some perspective of how cheap the price point is, grocery competitor Publix sells 1 gallon of skimmed and whole milk for around $5.87. Meanwhile, Kroger and Meijer grocery stores sell gallons of milk for approximately $2.80.

5. Walmart Offers Cheap Alternatives To Traditional Milk

Traditional milk is still considered one of Walmart’s most purchased items; however, with customers becoming increasingly eco-conscious, the statistics are beginning to change.

Walmart aims to equally satisfy consumers reaching for almond, soy, and oat milk.

Dairy alternatives are notoriously expensive; however, Walmart offers cheaper options with Great Value almond milk, suitable for vegans, costing less than $2. In comparison, Target sells almond milk for an average price of $3.

To learn more about this mega-corporation, you can see my other posts on why Walmart is so hated, why Walmart is considered trashy, and how Walmart prices are so cheap.

Conclusion

Walmart offers milk cheaper than its competitors to attract more customers who will be more likely to spend money on additional items while in-store.

Furthermore, Walmart produces its own range of branded milk, saving on manufacturing and importation costs. Additionally, Walmart also sells lactose alternatives at equally low prices. 

Photo of author

Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas graduated with a MBA in 2011. Since then, Marques has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Marques is also the head writer and founder of QuerySprout.com.

1 thought on “5 Reasons Why Walmart Milk Is So Cheap! ”

  1. 3/23/23. Walmart 1/2 gallon milk. The Houston Walmart where I shop has a real problem keeping 1/2 gallon Great Value (GV) (Walmart store brand) whole milk in stock. They seem to have empty shelves for 2 or 3 days for every day they have 1/2 gallon whole milk stocked. They were having the same problem with 1/2 Great Value gallon orange juice although with 1/2 gallon OJ they were totally out for a long time but the OJ situation has improved somewhat.

    **Then they stocked some off-brand 1/2 gallon milk (same milk–different label) that is close to $5 whereas Walmart 1/2 gallon milk, when it is stocked, is less than $2. I don’t buy it. The one time I did make it to the register with a 1/2 gallon of off-brand milk I gave it back at the register.

    **It is not as convenient because of a longer drive but I can get 1/2 gallon of milk or OJ at HEB when Walmart does not have it in stock and when I have to go to HEB for milk I just do all of my shopping at HEB so Walmart is losing sales on more than a 1/2 gallon of milk. I have not had an HEB visit yet where they did not have 1/2 gallon milk OJ. HEB milk/ OJ is not quite as cheap–pennies difference–but it is close to the Walmart price. If Walmart’s suppliers can’t keep it supplied with milk/ OJ then they should look at other options.

Leave a Comment