Spring is not even a month old and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has already begun a Spring MegaRollback promotion on nearly 900 items.
Rollback pricing is nothing new for Wal-Mart. The company tried to downplay its low-price image back in 2009 and 2010 when shoppers strapped for cash during the height of the financial crisis turned to Wal-Mart in huge numbers. Eventually, though, low-price leadership made a comeback and has become the company’s mainstay again.
Wal-Mart uses its Rollback pricing in a variety of ways. For example, an Ozark Trail 8-person family cabin tent with a screen porch is advertised for $174.00, a savings of $25.97 or 13%. The tent is available online with free shipping or free in-store pickup. This is straight-up promotion pricing on this particular tent.
Another Spring MegaRollback item is a Hoover WindTunnel 3 Pro Pet bagless upright vacuum (UH70931PC) that Wal-Mart is selling for $99, a discount of $70 (or 41%) from the regular price of $169. Shipping is free at the online store, but the vacuum may not available for store pickup in a particular location. Though listed as a Rollback, this is pretty obviously a clearance. Other Hoover vacuums are selling for as little as $6 off the regular price, or at no discount at all.
24/7 Wall St.Or how about a solid wood potting bench for $99.99, a savings of $99.96 from the regular price of $199.95. Again, shipping is free but in-store pickup may not be available depending on your location. This could be another clearance item, but is more likely a loss leader intended to tempt buyers to buy pots and seeds and plants and other accessories to go along with the spanking new bench.
And perhaps a sure sign that Spring is behind us and Summer is coming, an outdoor swing canopy hammock is selling for $199.95, another item selling for a 50% discount. Shipping is free, but in-store pickup depends on location. This is marked as a clearance item, so there’s no question about Wal-Mart’s motives here.
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