13 Walmart Products That Walmart Probably Loses Money On

Walmart is well known for its bottom-of-the-barrel prices, but even if you're a frequent shopper, there may still be some Walmart shopping hacks you don't know about yet. For instance, Walmart excels at a tactic called loss leading, which means it intentionally sells some products or services at below-retail prices to draw in new customers, establish a loyal base, and keep regulars coming back for more.

Learn to take advantage of some of Walmart's best, most wildly underpriced deals, starting with the 13 items listed below.

Price: $5.97 (on sale from $6.97)

At under $6, Walmart's hot rotisserie chicken barely covers the cost of the bird, let alone labor and packaging. It's a classic loss leader meant to pull shoppers into the grocery section. Costco follows a similar strategy, but Walmart doesn't require you to pay an annual club fee to access its supremely affordable chicken.

Price: $1.94 (16 ounces)

This pantry staple is shockingly cheap compared to national brands, so cheap that it's hard to imagine there's much profit in it. If you tend to tear through peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you can stock up on a four-pack of peanut butter for $7.76, which is the same low price of just $0.12 per ounce.

Price: $9.98 (12-roll pack)

Toilet paper is a common loss-leading product for major retailers, and Walmart is no exception. Twelve rolls for under $10 is a bargain so good you aren't likely to find it at any competitor.

Price: $198

This doorbuster deal has become famous for offering full-size smart TVs at prices that feel unsustainable. The margins here likely lie elsewhere —like accessories or extended warranties —or perhaps with shoppers who buy the TV during the year instead of waiting patiently for Black Friday, when the price is often even lower. 

Price: $1.98 (100 count)

At just two cents a pill, this generic version undercuts name-brand options by a wide margin and seems priced for customer loyalty, not profit.

Price: 92 cents (16 ounces)

For less than a dollar per pound, Walmart makes it easy and affordable to stock up on this pantry staple. You can save even more by getting a five-pound bag for only $3.34.

Walmart often keeps milk prices incredibly low to stay competitive, even if it means minimal profit, especially in rural or price-sensitive areas. The company saves itself more money by using local milk that doesn't need to be transported around the country.

Price: 75–90% off

Once the season ends, Walmart aggressively marks down remaining stock to clear shelves, even if it means taking a loss to free up space for the next big retail wave. To take advantage of Walmart's markdowns, make sure to visit your local store the day after a major holiday like Easter or Halloween.

Price: $2.34 (12-count)

As with other common grocery staples like milk, Walmart keeps its eggs priced almost ludicrously low. At a time when issues like the bird flu continue to disrupt egg supply chains around the world, paying under $3 for eggs feels like a steal.

Price: $1.12

Between eggs, milk, and cake mix, Walmart's loss leaders make it easy to throw a birthday party for under $5. If white cake isn't your style, the signature brand's cake mixes come in confetti and devil's food cake flavors.

Price: $6.88 (on sale from $10.49)

Vitamins and supplements are notoriously pricey, but whether you get this 120-count bottle of collagen supplements at the sales price or regular price, Walmart's almost certainly selling it to you at a loss.

Price: 83 cents a pound

At less than a dollar per pound, you can stock up on sturdy, filling spuds for seemingly far less than the cost to grow, harvest, transport, and stock them.

Best of all, unlike some produce, potatoes keep for weeks if you store them in a cool, dark place away from moisture and dampness. You can easily get several meals' worth of potatoes for under $5.

Price: $1.00 (on sale from $3.68)

Finding affordable name-brand cereals is a rarity these days, especially when it comes to this popular whole-grain, gluten-free American breakfast staple. Walmart sells other name-brand cereals for under $4, but Cheerios are the heart-healthiest of the bunch.

Not every product can be a steal. Depending on the item, you might be able to save more by buying in bulk at Costco or shopping at your local dollar store.

But understanding Walmart's marketing tactics means you can take advantage of lower prices to save even more money on groceries.