Walmart’s new CEO announced a combined membership program costing $120 annually, merging Walmart Plus and Sam’s Club Plus into a single package aimed at helping American families combat rising costs—a $98 savings compared to purchasing the memberships separately.
New Leadership Confronts Economic Pressures
John Furner, in his first broadcast interview since becoming CEO, revealed the combined membership plan exclusively with ABC News on October 20, 2026. The timing addresses ongoing financial strain on American households, with inflation climbing 3.7% in September compared to the previous year and gas prices surging 34.2% during the same period, according to federal government data. The new membership provides access to Sam’s Club warehouse stores, free delivery on qualifying orders, streaming service options including Peacock or Paramount Plus, and fuel savings of 10 cents per gallon at more than 17,000 participating gas stations nationwide.
Furner acknowledged that Walmart has observed changing consumer behavior as economic pressures mount. “We’ve been in a market for the last several quarters with what we’ve been describing as a pretty resilient customer environment,” he explained. “And then at the end of the first quarter, we did remark that we saw some stress on some customers and we definitely saw some of their spending change.” Despite these challenges, Furner committed to keeping prices low, stating the company remains focused on operating efficiently regardless of external market conditions.
Photo: Glenn Samonte, CC BY 2.0
Price Rollbacks and Membership Benefits
The retail giant demonstrated its commitment to affordability through aggressive price reductions, expanding from 7,000 price rollbacks at the end of its first quarter to approximately 11,000 by the second quarter’s conclusion. Existing Walmart Plus annual members can upgrade to the combined plan for just $22 additional per year, while Sam’s Club Plus members receive Walmart Plus access at no extra cost. The membership requires annual payment with no monthly installment option or trial period available. Furner emphasized that while commodity markets remain largely beyond Walmart’s control, the company identified this membership consolidation as a concrete way to deliver immediate savings to American families.
What This Means for American Households
The combined membership represents Walmart’s response to sustained economic pressure on middle-class families. With gas savings alone potentially offsetting a significant portion of the membership cost for regular drivers, the package addresses multiple budget pain points simultaneously. Furner also addressed workforce concerns about artificial intelligence, reassuring employees that technology serves as a tool to enhance associate capabilities rather than replace workers, stating he expects similar employment opportunities will exist in five years. The announcement signals major retailers recognize continued consumer financial stress and are adapting strategies to maintain customer loyalty during uncertain economic times.
Sounds like a good deal as I have membership at Sam’s and Walmart!
I did! Sounds great!