Target vs. Walmart: Which retailer will save you more money in 2025?

• Walmart consistently beats Target on everyday grocery prices by $1-16 per shopping trip, depending on basket size

• Target's 5% Circle Card discount can eliminate price gaps and make Target competitive or cheaper than Walmart

• Walmart releases 2-3x more promo codes than Target, offering more frequent discount opportunities

• Target's price-matching policy works with Walmart.com, while Walmart won't match Target's prices

• Both stores beat traditional grocery chains, but Aldi often undercuts both by significant margins

• Strategic shoppers can make Target as affordable as Walmart by leveraging Circle Card benefits and price matching

When you're choosing between Target and Walmart for your weekly shopping trip, the question isn't just about convenience or store atmosphere—it's about which one will actually save you money. Both retailers aggressively compete for budget-conscious shoppers, but recent price comparison studies reveal some surprising insights about where your dollar stretches furthest.

The reality is more nuanced than you might expect. While Walmart generally offers lower baseline prices, Target's strategic discount programs can level the playing field—and sometimes even give Target the edge. Understanding how to navigate both stores' pricing strategies, loyalty programs, and hidden savings opportunities can dramatically impact your shopping budget.

This analysis examines real-world price comparisons, discount programs, and strategic shopping approaches to help you maximize savings at both retailers while understanding exactly when each store offers the better deal.

Ready to start saving at Target? Get the latest Target promo codes for your next shopping trip.

1. The baseline price battle: Walmart's everyday low price advantage

Multiple independent price comparisons consistently show Walmart maintaining a price advantage over Target on identical grocery and household items, though the gap has narrowed significantly in recent years.

Current price comparison data

Studies from Business Insider reveal the scope of Walmart's pricing advantage:

• Business Insider grocery comparison: Walmart's total was almost $10 less than Target's for identical items

• AARP 30-item basket study: Target cost $83.62 vs. Walmart's $67.63—a $16 difference (24% more expensive at Target)

• 2025 ongoing comparison: The price gap has shrunk to approximately $1-4 for a 30-item grocery basket, down from $4-6 earlier in the year

Where Walmart's advantage is strongest

Walmart's "Everyday Low Price" strategy creates the most significant savings in these categories:

• Name-brand groceries: Walmart typically offers the "absolute cheapest deal on major name brands and household goods"

• Basic staples: Items like milk ($3.72 at Walmart vs $4.00 at Kroger), eggs ($3.99 vs $4.49), and bread show consistent Walmart advantages

• Household essentials: Cleaning supplies, paper products, and personal care items from major brands

The store brand equalizer

The price gap narrows considerably when comparing store brands:

• Target's store brands (Good & Gather, Up & Up) are competitively priced with Walmart's Great Value line

• Example: Target's 750-count Up & Up cotton swabs were actually less expensive than Walmart's 750-count Equate swabs

• Strategic insight: If you're willing to buy store-brand products, "Target is a solid bet" for value, according to retail analysts

This baseline advantage gives Walmart the edge for straightforward price comparison shopping, but Target's discount programs can quickly change the equation.

Want to always know when Target has sales? Check out the Target Sale Calendar for 2025

2. Price matching policies: Target's competitive advantage

Courtesy of Target

When it comes to price matching policies, Target offers significantly more shopper-friendly options compared to Walmart's restrictive approach.

Target's comprehensive price matching

Target's price match policy provides substantial flexibility for deal-seeking shoppers:

• Competitor matching: Target will price-match select competitors including Amazon and Walmart

• Time window: Price adjustments available at purchase time or up to 14 days after purchase

• Verification process: Requires official website verification (no screenshots) with identical items in stock

• Strategic advantage: You can essentially get Walmart's online price while shopping at Target

Walmart's limited price matching

Walmart's policy is far more restrictive:

• No competitor matching: Walmart will not price-match other retailers' prices

• Own-site only: Will only match Walmart.com prices on identical items

• Conditions apply: Item must be in stock online, excludes special online deals and clearance

• Manager approval: May require management override for price adjustments

How to leverage Target's price matching

Strategic shoppers can maximize Target's price matching:

1. Pre-shop research: Check Walmart.com, Amazon, and Target.com prices before visiting Target

2. Bring proof: Have the competitor's website ready on your phone

3. Combine with Circle Card: Get the matched price plus 5% Circle Card discount

4. Post-purchase adjustments: Return within 14 days if you find a better price

Real-world price matching scenarios

Example 1: Target item costs $25, Walmart.com shows $22

• Target matches the $22 price

• Circle Card gives additional 5% off ($1.10)

• Final Target price: $20.90 (cheaper than Walmart)

Example 2: Amazon shows item for $30, Target has it for $35

• Target matches Amazon's $30 price

• Circle Card discount reduces to $28.50

• Net result: Better than either original price

This price matching advantage means Target can often deliver the best of both worlds: competitive pricing with superior shopping experience and additional Circle Card benefits.

3. Target's 5% Circle Card advantage: The game-changing discount

Courtesy of Target

Target's most powerful savings tool is the Circle Card, which provides an immediate 5% discount on nearly all purchases—a benefit that can effectively eliminate Walmart's price advantages.

How the 5% discount transforms pricing

The Circle Card impact on Target's competitiveness is dramatic:

• Price gap elimination: If an item costs $1.00 at Walmart and $1.05 at Target, the Circle Card brings Target's price to $0.9975

• Compounding effect: On a $100 shopping trip, the Circle Card saves $5—often more than the typical Walmart price advantage

• Universal application: Works on groceries, household items, clothing, and electronics with minimal exclusions

Real-world Circle Card impact examples

Here's how the 5% discount changes specific scenarios:

• Cotton swabs example: Target's Up & Up cotton swabs were already cheaper than Walmart's, but with the Circle Card discount, became $0.35 less expensive

• Grocery shopping: Many shoppers find that "Target's prices minus 5% come out very close to Walmart's" on most items

• Electronics and clothing: Categories where Target typically prices higher see the most dramatic improvement with Circle Card savings

Additional Circle Card benefits beyond savings

The Circle Card provides value beyond the 5% discount:

• Free shipping on Target.com orders with no minimum

• Extended return periods on most purchases

• Early access to select sales and promotions

• No annual fee for the debit card version

Getting maximum Circle Card value

To optimize Circle Card benefits:

1. Choose the debit version to avoid credit implications while getting the same 5% benefit

2. Use for all Target purchases since the discount applies to nearly everything

3. Combine with Target Circle offers for additional stacked savings

4. Consider the credit version only if you pay balances in full and want to build credit

This 5% advantage means Target can often match or beat Walmart's prices for Circle Card holders, transforming the value equation significantly.

4. The promo code frequency advantage: Walmart leads in discount opportunities

Analysis of promo code releases from September 2023 through June 2025 reveals a significant disparity in discount frequency between the two retailers, with Walmart offering substantially more promotional opportunities.

Promo code release patterns

The data shows distinct differences in promotional strategies:

Walmart's promotional frequency

• Peak periods: August 2024 (10 codes), September 2024 (8 codes), January 2024 (5 codes)

• Seasonal patterns: Strong holiday promotion periods (November-December) with 4-5 codes monthly

• Total codes released: 72 codes over the 22-month period (average 3.3 per month)

Target's promotional frequency

• Peak periods: October 2024 (3 codes), scattered 2-code months

• Dry spells: Multiple months with zero codes (March-June 2024, March-April 2025)

• Total codes released: 29 codes over the same period (average 1.3 per month)

What this means for strategic shoppers

Walmart's higher promotional frequency creates more opportunities for additional savings:

• More discount windows: Walmart shoppers have roughly 2.5x more opportunities to find active promo codes

• Seasonal advantages: Walmart maintains more consistent promotional activity during key shopping periods

• Stacking potential: More frequent codes mean better chances to find codes that work with current needs

Types of promotions each retailer offers

Walmart's promotional focus:

• Free shipping promotions (common for orders under $35 minimum)

• Category-specific discounts (electronics, groceries, clothing)

• Seasonal sales coordination with major shopping events

Target's promotional approach:

• Free gift with purchase promotions (more common than percentage discounts)

• Category sales coordinated with Target Circle offers

• Circle Card exclusive promotions for cardholders

This promotional data suggests that while Target relies heavily on its consistent 5% Circle Card discount, Walmart uses more frequent, varied promotional codes to drive additional savings opportunities.

Read here for the Walmart Sale Calendar 2025

5. Loyalty programs and hidden savings strategies

Beyond headline prices and obvious discounts, both retailers offer loyalty programs and strategic savings opportunities that can significantly impact your total spending.

Target Circle: The loyalty ecosystem

Courtesy of Target

Target's free loyalty program provides multiple savings layers:

Core Target Circle benefits:

• Personalized offers: Weekly rotating deals based on shopping history

• Digital coupons: Targeted discounts that stack with other promotions

• 1% earnings: Accumulate rewards for future purchases (separate from Circle Card)

• Birthday perks: Special offers during your birthday month

Strategic Target Circle usage:

• Weekly promotion strategy: "Buy 3 cleaning products, get a $10 Target gift card" effectively creates future savings

• Category bonuses: Rotating offers like "5% back on beauty purchases" during specific weeks

• Manufacturer coupon stacking: Combine Target Circle offers with manufacturer coupons for maximum savings

Walmart's minimal loyalty approach

Courtesy of Walmart

Walmart takes a different approach, focusing on low baseline prices rather than complex loyalty programs:

What Walmart doesn't offer:

• No traditional loyalty points or coupon app

• No personalized digital offers like Target Circle

• No birthday perks or member-exclusive pricing

Walmart's savings focus:

• Rollback pricing: Temporary price cuts marked with special signage

• Seasonal clearance: End-of-season markdowns across categories

• Basic manufacturer coupon acceptance: No doubling or special programs

Walmart+ vs. Target Circle 360: Membership program comparison

Both retailers offer paid membership programs focused on convenience rather than additional discounts:

Walmart+ ($98 annually):

• Free unlimited grocery delivery on orders $35+

• Free shipping on Walmart.com with no minimum

• Fuel discounts at partnered gas stations

• No additional in-store discounts

Target Circle 360 ($99 annually, $49 for Circle Card holders):

• Unlimited same-day delivery on $35+ orders through Shipt

• Free 2-day shipping from Target.com

• No additional pricing discounts

Maximizing loyalty program value

For Target shoppers:

1. Combine all programs: Use Circle Card + Target Circle + manufacturer coupons simultaneously

2. Time bulk purchases: Wait for category bonus weeks to stock up

3. Monitor weekly ads: Plan shopping around Target Circle promotional cycles

For Walmart shoppers:

1. Focus on Rollbacks: Look for special pricing tags throughout the store

2. Use manufacturer coupons: The primary discount opportunity beyond low prices

3. Consider Walmart+ only if delivery convenience justifies the annual cost

This loyalty program analysis shows Target offering more complex but potentially rewarding savings opportunities, while Walmart maintains its focus on straightforward low pricing.

6. How Target and Walmart compare to other major retailers

Understanding how both Target and Walmart stack up against other popular retailers provides important context for your shopping strategy and helps identify when each store truly offers the best value.

The discount grocery comparison: Aldi's dominance

When compared to discount grocery specialists, both Target and Walmart face tough competition:

AARP 30-item basket comparison:

• Aldi: $66.11 (cheapest overall)

• Walmart: $67.63 (+$1.52 vs. Aldi)

• Target: $83.62 (+$17.51 vs. Aldi, +$15.99 vs. Walmart)

Source: Celebitchy

This data reveals that while Walmart beats Target on groceries, dedicated discount chains like Aldi can beat both retailers by significant margins.

Traditional grocery chains: Kroger comparison

Both big-box retailers generally outperform traditional supermarkets on staple pricing:

Walmart vs. Kroger examples (2025 data):

• Gallon of milk: Walmart $3.72 vs. Kroger $4.00

• Dozen eggs: Walmart $3.99 vs. Kroger $4.49

• Typical grocery basket: Walmart wins on regular prices

The Kroger loyalty factor:

• Digital coupons and sales: Can make specific items cheaper than Walmart

• Fuel rewards program: Provides additional value for frequent shoppers

• Weekly promotional cycles: Strategic shoppers can achieve significant savings

Where Target and Walmart excel beyond groceries

Target's advantages over traditional retailers:

• Clothing and home goods: Better selection and pricing than department stores

• Electronics: Competitive with Best Buy on many items, especially with Circle Card

• Beauty products: Strong selection with frequent promotional offers

Walmart's category dominance:

• Household essentials: Usually cheapest option for cleaning supplies, paper products

• Pharmacy: Competitive pricing on medications and health products

• Auto services: Oil changes and basic maintenance often beat dedicated shops

Strategic retailer selection guide

Choose Aldi when:

• Shopping primarily for groceries and basic household items

• Willing to bag your own groceries and use a quarter for cart rental

• Don't need extensive brand selection

Choose Walmart when:

• Want lowest baseline prices without loyalty program complexity

• Shopping for diverse categories in one trip

• Don't want to manage multiple store strategies

Choose Target when:

• Have Circle Card and willing to use price matching

• Value shopping experience and store atmosphere

• Want to combine grocery shopping with clothing, home goods, or electronics

Choose traditional grocery stores when:

• Strategic coupon user who plans around sales cycles

• Need specialty items or extensive fresh food selection

• Loyalty program benefits (fuel points, etc.) align with shopping patterns

This comparison framework helps identify the optimal retailer choice based on your shopping priorities, time availability, and willingness to engage with loyalty programs.

The smart shopper's strategy for Target vs. Walmart

The most effective approach to shopping both retailers involves understanding when each offers advantages and developing strategies that maximize savings across both platforms.

The hybrid shopping approach

Rather than choosing one retailer exclusively, strategic shoppers can optimize their spending by:

Core grocery strategy:

• Price-sensitive staples at Walmart: Milk, bread, eggs, and basic household essentials

• Target for strategic purchases: Items where Circle Card discount and price matching create advantages

• Category specialization: Target for clothing and home goods, Walmart for automotive and pharmacy needs

Seasonal shopping optimization

Holiday and promotional periods:

• Target's strength: Better gift-giving atmosphere and selection during holidays

• Walmart's advantage: More frequent promotional codes and rollback pricing year-round

• Timing strategy: Use Target's gift card promotions during holidays, Walmart for back-to-school basics

Technology tools for price comparison

Essential apps and strategies:

• SimplyCodes browser extension: Automatically finds working promo codes for both retailers

• Store apps: Target app for Circle offers, Walmart app for rollback notifications

Creating your personalized strategy

Step 1: Calculate your baseline

• Track spending at each retailer for one month

• Factor in Circle Card savings, gas costs, and time investment

• Determine which store saves more for your specific shopping patterns

Step 2: Identify your high-value categories

• List categories where you spend the most money

• Compare pricing in those specific categories

• Focus optimization efforts on highest-impact purchases

Step 3: Develop your routine

• Weekly essentials: Choose primary store based on convenience and total cost

• Monthly stock-up: Use promotional periods and bulk pricing opportunities

• Special purchases: Apply price matching and discount stacking strategies

Which retailer will save you more money?

Based on comprehensive price analysis and strategic savings opportunities, Walmart typically offers lower baseline prices for most grocery and household essentials, maintaining price advantages of $1-16 per shopping trip depending on basket size. However, Target's Circle Card discount and price-matching policy can eliminate this gap and sometimes create Target advantages for strategic shoppers.

The key findings reveal that success depends more on shopping strategy than retailer choice:

Choose Walmart when you want:

• Lowest prices without requiring loyalty program management

• Straightforward savings on name-brand groceries and household essentials

• Maximum value with minimal effort or strategic planning

Choose Target when you can leverage:

• Circle Card's 5% discount on all purchases

• Price matching to get competitors' lower prices plus Circle Card savings

• Target Circle offers and promotional gift card opportunities

The ultimate strategy combines both:

• Use Walmart for price-sensitive staples where convenience matters most

• Use Target for categories where Circle Card benefits and price matching create advantages

• Apply promotional codes and cashback tools at both retailers for maximum savings

For most families, the total savings difference between strategic Target shopping and straightforward Walmart shopping amounts to just a few dollars per month. The more significant factors are often convenience, shopping experience preferences, and your willingness to actively manage loyalty programs and price comparisons.

The bottom line: both retailers offer legitimate paths to significant savings compared to traditional grocery stores, but Target requires more active strategy to match Walmart's passive savings, while Walmart delivers consistent value with less complexity. Your personal shopping style and time availability should ultimately determine which approach serves your budget best.

Want to maximize your savings? Check out current Walmart promo codes before your next shopping trip.