Shopping Cards
Customer purchases of shopping cards are not recognized as revenue until the card is redeemed and the customer purchases merchandise using the shopping card. Shopping cards in the U.S. do not carry an expiration date; therefore, customers and members can redeem their shopping cards for merchandise indefinitely. Shopping cards in certain foreign countries where Walmart does business may have expiration dates. A certain amount of shopping cards, both with and without expiration dates, will not be redeemed. Management estimates unredeemed shopping cards and recognizes revenue for these amounts over shopping card historical usage periods based on historical redemption rates. Management periodically reviews and updates its estimates of usage periods and redemption rates.