Walmart Shopping Guide
Navigate America's largest retailer with confidence using our analysis of 25,000+ Walmart products. Discover which Great Value items to buy and which to avoid.
Walmart Brand Analysis Overview
Great Value Scale
21,217
Products analyzed - America's largest store brand by volume
Average Scores
Moderate processing, room for improvement on nutrition
Key Shopping Insights
• Best Categories: Honey (PS: 1.0), Oils (PS: 1.2), Frozen Vegetables (PS: 1.9)
• Avoid Categories: Baking Decorations (PS: 13.7), Frozen Breakfast (PS: 16.9)
• Ultra-Processed: 37.2% of Great Value products are Level 4 (Ultra-Processed)
Walmart Store Brands Breakdown
Walmart operates multiple store brands with significantly different quality profiles:
Great Value Deep Dive: America's Largest Store Brand
Processing Level Distribution
Scale & Impact
• 21,217 products analyzed
• Largest store brand in America
• Found in 4,700+ Walmart stores
• Significant price advantage
Best Great Value Products to Buy
Great Value products with excellent processing and nutrition scores:
Shopping tip: Great Value excels in basic whole foods - beans, lentils, quinoa, and grains. These items offer excellent value and minimal processing.
Great Value Products to Avoid
Great Value products with the highest processing scores to limit or avoid:
Pattern observed: Great Value's worst products are highly processed confections and baking kits with multiple artificial ingredients, preservatives, and added sugars.
Aisle-by-Aisle Shopping Strategy
🥫 Pantry Staples (Excellent Choices)
70 products • Minimal processing
190 products • Basic processing
🥕 Frozen Section (Smart Choices)
428 products • Flash frozen
248 products • No added sugars
🍞 Bakery & Dairy (Choose Carefully)
263 products • Moderate processing
457 products • Added sugars vary
🍰 Avoid These Aisles
806 products • Highly processed
158 products • Ultra-processed
Great Value vs National Brands Comparison
How Great Value stacks up against major national brands in key categories:
🥣 Breakfast Cereal
629 products • Better nutrition score
117 products • Higher processing
🍲 Canned Soup
223 products • Lower processing
186 products • Higher processing
🍞 Bread
263 products • Slightly higher processing
940 products • Slightly lower processing
Key insight: Great Value often matches or beats national brands on processing scores, especially in basic categories like soup and cereal, while offering significant cost savings.
Money-Saving Healthy Choices at Walmart
🎯 Best Value Categories
These categories offer excellent nutrition value and minimal processing at unbeatable prices.
💡 Smart Shopping Tips
• Shop perimeter first (produce, dairy, meat)
• Great Value organics offer good value
• Frozen section beats canned for vegetables
• Bulk bins for nuts, seeds, and grains
• Check unit prices, not just package price
How Walmart Compares to Other Major Retailers
| Store | Store Brand | Avg PS | Avg NS | Price Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Foods | 365 Everyday Value | 3.9 | 5.4 | Premium |
| Target | Good & Gather | 4.3 | 5.2 | Mid-range |
| Kroger | Simple Truth | 4.2 | 5.1 | Mid-range |
| Walmart | Great Value | 7.5 | 4.5 | Budget |
Walmart positioning: While Great Value has higher processing scores than premium store brands, it offers unmatched value and accessibility for budget-conscious families.
Key Takeaways for Walmart Shopping
- ✓Focus on whole foods: Great Value excels in basic pantry staples like beans, grains, and frozen vegetables with minimal processing.
- ✓Avoid ultra-processed categories: Skip baking decorations, frozen breakfast items, and highly processed snacks where scores exceed 15+.
- ✓Great Value beats national brands: In categories like soup and cereal, Great Value often has lower processing scores than premium alternatives.
- ✓Budget-friendly health choices exist: 14.7% of Great Value products are minimally processed, offering healthy options at low prices.
- ✓Shop strategically by aisle: Perimeter and pantry staples offer the best value, while center aisles require more careful selection.
Explore More Walmart Products
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Always consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.