How Walmart’s Belief in Low Prices Changed the Retail Game: The Story Behind ‘Save Money. Live Better.’

Unveiling the Retail Revolution: The Journey of Walmart’s Low Price Philosophy

keyuri Arvind Bhanushali
7 min readMay 16, 2023
Source: Walmart

I. The Early Days

Walmart’s founder, Sam Walton, believed that by offering low prices, his stores could help working-class families save money and improve their quality of life.

The tagline “Save Money. Live Better.” was born from this mission.

II. The Creation of the Tagline

The “Save Money. Live Better.” tagline was introduced in 2007, and was created by The Martin Agency, a Virginia-based advertising agency that has worked with Walmart for over 30 years.

The Martin Agency came up with the tagline after conducting extensive research into Walmart’s customers and the company’s overall brand image.

The agency identified two key themes that were important to Walmart customers:
a. Saving money and,
b. Improving their quality of life.

III. The Meaning Behind the Tag Line

Walmart’s iconic tagline, “Save Money. Live Better” was carefully crafted to capture the essence of two incredible themes: saving money and enhancing customers’ lives.

They wanted to send a crystal-clear message to all shoppers — by choosing Walmart, you can embark on a journey where you not only pocket significant savings but also elevate your overall quality of life.

It’s a win-win situation that combines smart shopping with an improved lifestyle.

IV. The Purpose behind the Tagline

The introduction of the new tagline was part of a broader effort by Walmart to rebrand itself and to emphasize its commitment to low prices and customer value.

At the time, Walmart was facing increased competition from other retailers, and the company was looking for ways to differentiate itself and to reinforce its position as the low-price leader in the market.

V. Walmart’s Tagline in Marketing Campaign

Walmart’s tagline, “Save Money. Live Better.” has also been an integral part of the brand’s online marketing campaigns.

Here are some examples of how the tagline has been used to create a consistent brand image.

  1. Email Campaigns
    In Walmart’s email marketing campaigns, the tagline is often used in subject lines and email bodies to catch customers’ attention and remind them of the brand’s messaging.
    For example, an email might have a subject line like “Save Big and Live Better with Our Weekly Deals!” and feature product images, descriptions, and prices, as well as the tagline. This creates a consistent brand image and reinforces the benefits of shopping at Walmart.
  2. Online Ads
    Walmart has used the tagline in various types of online ads, such as banner ads and social media ads.
    For example, a banner ad might show a customer happily pushing a cart down the aisle of a Walmart store, with the tagline displayed prominently in the background. Similarly, a social media ad might feature a short video of a customer discovering great deals and using the tagline to describe their experience. These ads help to reinforce the brand’s messaging and create a consistent brand image across multiple online platforms.

VI. Walmart’s Motto Collection

Taglines Walmart used over years and thought behind it.

  1. Always Low Prices. Always.
    Thought behind the tagline:
    Reflects their mission to offer products at affordable prices.
  2. Save Money. Live Better.
    Thought behind the tagline
    : Emphasizes on Walmart’s goal of helping people improve their quality of life by offering them savings on essential items.
  3. The Lowest Prices Anytime, Anywhere.
    Thought behind the tagline: Reinforces Walmart’s belief that they could offer the lowest prices compared to their competitors.
  4. More Ways to Save.
    Thought behind the tagline: Reflects their willingness to provide customers with various options to save money, such as price matching and offering discounts

VII. Lessons from Walmart’s Inspiring Tagline

Walmart’s current tagline is “Save Money, Live Better”. Take inspiration from this tagline and tweak your marketing campaigns.

  1. Emphasize the cost savings

In your marketing copy, highlight the ways in which your product or service can help customers save money. Use language that emphasizes the value and affordability of what you’re offering.

Framework to apply in your marketing copy:
Start with a headline that emphasizes the value and affordability of your product or service.

  • Follow up with a description of the specific ways in which your offering can help customers save money.
  • End with a call-to-action that encourages customers to take advantage of the cost savings you’re offering.

Marketing copy: Maximize Your Performance, Minimize Your Costs — Shop Our Sports Shoes Today.

2. Focus on the Benefits

Walmart’s tagline also includes the “Live Better” component, which suggests that their products can improve people’s lives.

You can apply this idea to your marketing campaign by highlighting the benefits that customers will experience from using your product or service.

This could include things like improved health, increased productivity, or more free time.

Framework to apply in your marketing copy:

  • Begin with a headline that highlights the positive outcomes customers can expect from using your product or service.
  • Follow up with a description of the specific benefits your offering provides.
  • End with a call-to-action that encourages customers to experience the benefits for themselves.

Marketing copy: “Elevate Your Game, Step Up Your Style — Shop Our High-Quality Sports Shoes Now.

3. Use Customers testimonials

Walmart’s tagline implies that their products have helped people save money and live better.

You can apply this idea to your marketing campaign by including customer testimonials that demonstrate the positive impact your product or service has had on people’s lives.

Framework to apply in your marketing copy

  • Begin with a headline that emphasizes the credibility and trustworthiness of your customer reviews.
  • Follow up with a selection of customer testimonials that illustrate the impact your product or service has had on real people.
  • End with a call-to-action that encourages customers to share their own experiences and leave a review.

Marketing copy:
“Join the Ranks of Satisfied Athletes — Shop Our Top-Rated Sports Shoes.”

4. Create a sense of urgency

Walmart’s tagline includes the word “now”, which implies a sense of urgency. You can apply this idea to your marketing campaign by creating time-limited offers or using language that encourages customers to act quickly.

Framework to apply in your marketing copy

  • Start with a headline that emphasize urgency(e.g. “Limited time offer”).
  • Follow up with a description of the specific deal or promotion you’re offering and why customers should act now to take advantage of it.
  • End with a clear call-to-action that encourages customers to act quickly to secure the deal.

Marketing copy: “Upgrade Your Performance Today — Don’t Miss Our Exclusive Deals on Sports Shoes.”

5. Keep it simple

Walmart’s tagline is short, sweet, and to the point. You can apply this idea to your marketing campaign by using clear and concise language in your marketing materials. Avoid using jargon or overly complicated language that might confuse or overwhelm potential customers.

Framework to apply in your marketing copy

  • Begin with a headline that emphasizes the simplicity and ease of use of your product or service.
  • Follow up with a clear description of what your offering does and how it works.
  • End with a call-to-action that encourages customers to take advantage of the straightforward and hassle-free nature of your product or service.

Marketing copy: Find Your Perfect Fit — Shop Our Wide Selection of Sports Shoes Now

VIII. Summary of Points

  • Walmart is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, department stores, and grocery stores.
  • The company’s founder, Sam Walton, believed that by offering low prices, Walmart could help working-class families save money and improve their quality of life.
  • Walmart’s commitment to low prices became a central part of the company’s identity.
  • Walmart’s focus on affordability can help customers get more for their money and improve their quality of life.
  • The Walmart tagline, “Save Money. Live Better.” was introduced in 2007.
  • It was created by The Martin Agency, a Virginia-based advertising agency that has worked with Walmart for over 30 years.
  • The tagline was designed to capture two key themes important to Walmart customers: saving money and improving their quality of life.
  • To to your marketing campaign, you can emphasize cost savings, focus on the benefits, use customer testimonials, create a sense of urgency, and keep it simple.

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