Walmart+ Loyalty Program Expands Into Canada: What You Need to Know

Walmart+ Finally Arrives in Canada: A Historic First for the Retail Giant

For years, millions of American shoppers have enjoyed the perks of Walmart+, the retailer's membership program designed to rival Amazon Prime. But until recently, Walmart+ remained exclusively a U.S. offering. That has now changed in a big way. Walmart has officially launched Walmart+ in Canada, marking the very first time the program has expanded beyond U.S. borders. For Canadian shoppers, this is a landmark moment — and for the broader retail and ecommerce landscape, it signals Walmart's growing international ambitions.

What Is Walmart+ and Why Does It Matter?

Walmart+ was introduced in the United States in 2020 as the company's strategic response to Amazon Prime. At its core, the program bundles together a range of benefits — including delivery, fuel discounts, and exclusive savings — into a single recurring membership. The goal has always been to deepen customer loyalty and increase the frequency with which members shop at Walmart, both in-store and online.

Since its U.S. launch, Walmart+ has grown substantially in membership and scope. It has helped Walmart compete more directly with Amazon in the ecommerce arena, a space where Amazon has long held a dominant position. Walmart currently ranks No. 2 among North America's top online retailers by annual ecommerce sales, according to the Digital Commerce 360 Top 2000 database. It also ranks No. 8 among global online marketplaces by third-party gross merchandise value (GMV). These rankings underscore just how serious Walmart is as an ecommerce player — and how the addition of a loyalty program in Canada fits neatly into its broader growth strategy.

What Walmart+ Offers Canadian Members

The Canadian version of Walmart+ has been designed with local shoppers in mind, particularly busy families who depend on Walmart for everyday essentials at low prices. According to Catherine Theberge-Conner, head of membership at Walmart Canada, the program is a "game-changer for Canadians."

In a press release, Theberge-Conner stated: "Walmart+ is a game-changer for Canadians, especially the busy families who rely on our everyday low prices. With Walmart+, Canadians can access a unique membership offering that combines unlimited grocery and general merchandise delivery with benefits beyond retail."

That phrase — "benefits beyond retail" — is key. It suggests that Walmart Canada is not merely repackaging its existing delivery options under a new label. Instead, the company appears to be building a more comprehensive value proposition that extends into areas of everyday life beyond the shopping cart. The specifics of the full Canadian benefits package are expected to evolve over time as the program matures in the market.

At a foundational level, Canadian members can expect:

• Unlimited grocery delivery: One of the most appealing features for busy households, allowing members to order groceries as often as they need without paying per-delivery fees.
• Unlimited general merchandise delivery: Beyond groceries, members gain access to delivery across Walmart's broad product catalog, from electronics to household items and more.
• Exclusive member benefits: Additional perks that extend the value of membership beyond traditional retail, positioning Walmart+ as a lifestyle membership rather than just a shopping subscription.

Why Canada? The Strategic Logic Behind the Expansion

Canada is a natural first step for Walmart's international expansion of its loyalty program. Walmart has operated in Canada since 1994 and has built a well-established network of stores and ecommerce infrastructure across the country. Canadian consumers are already familiar with the Walmart brand and trust it for affordable everyday goods.

Moreover, the Canadian retail landscape is ripe for a strong loyalty membership program. Amazon Prime is well-entrenched in Canada, and local grocery and general merchandise retailers have been investing heavily in digital and loyalty offerings. By bringing Walmart+ to Canada, Walmart is entering a competitive but high-opportunity market with a program it has already tested and refined in the U.S.

There is also a broader ecommerce imperative at play. Canadian online shopping has grown significantly in recent years, accelerated in part by pandemic-era shifts in consumer behavior. Shoppers who moved to online grocery and general merchandise purchasing during that period have largely retained those habits. A loyalty program like Walmart+ is designed precisely to capture and retain that kind of digitally engaged customer.

What This Means for the Canadian Retail Landscape

The arrival of Walmart+ in Canada sends a clear signal to other retailers: the membership model is no longer just an American phenomenon. Programs that bundle delivery, discounts, and lifestyle perks into a monthly or annual subscription have proven enormously effective at increasing customer lifetime value and reducing churn.

Competitors in the Canadian grocery and general merchandise space will be watching closely. Retailers that have not yet developed robust loyalty or membership ecosystems may find themselves at a disadvantage as Walmart begins to deepen its relationship with Canadian consumers through the Walmart+ model.

For consumers, the competition can only be a good thing. When major players invest in loyalty programs, it typically results in better prices, more convenient delivery options, and an overall improved shopping experience for everyone — member or not.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Walmart+ Beyond Canada

With Canada now in the fold, the question naturally arises: where does Walmart+ go next? Walmart operates in numerous international markets, and the successful rollout of Walmart+ in Canada could serve as a blueprint for further expansion. The company has the infrastructure, the brand recognition, and the ecommerce scale to make a compelling case for Walmart+ in additional markets over time.

For now, Canadian shoppers are the ones with something new and exciting to explore. Whether you're a busy parent trying to simplify your weekly grocery run or a value-conscious consumer looking for more from your retail experience, Walmart+ in Canada represents a meaningful new option in the membership landscape.

As the program evolves and more details emerge about its full suite of Canadian benefits, one thing is already clear: Walmart is serious about Canada, and Walmart+ is just the beginning of what that commitment could look like.