It's fair to say many shoppers nurse a love-hate relationship with Walmart. Prices are competitive (love), but the giant retailer consistently receives low marks in customer satisfaction surveys (hate). And yet, 255 million shoppers worldwide still visit its stores every week in 2024.
The Bentonville, Ark.-based company has been fast remaking itself, sending shots over the bows of rivals ranging from Target and Amazon to just about every supermarket chain within shouting distance, including Aldi, Safeway, Kroger and even upscale Whole Foods.
"Walmart sells just about everything you could ever need so planning a trip to this big box retailer could make your life easier and reduce the need to go into multiple stores,” says consumer savings expert Andrea Woroch.
Walmart has evolved from a traditional retail giant into a growing e-commerce powerhouse, capturing 5.3% of the U.S. e-commerce market in 2020, second only to Amazon's 38.7%. Its online sales have grown fivefold since 2017, reaching $73 billion in 2022, with much of this growth driven by its dominance in online grocery, where it holds a 37% market share. Walmart’s U.S. e-commerce business reported a 22% year-over-year sales increase in Q2 2023, far outpacing Amazon’s 5% growth during the same period.
Key factors in Walmart’s success include its store-fulfilled pickup and delivery services, expanding marketplace and the Walmart+ membership program, which continues to attract online grocery shoppers. Investments in technology, automation and store redesigns have further enhanced its competitive edge.
We checked out a couple of Walmart stores in central Virginia to take in some of the changes unfurled by Uncle Wally. We've also been tracking new features and services across Walmart.com, and spoke with some shopping experts. Take a look at what you'll find.
Walmart has revamped its grocery sections to deliver a more upscale and convenient shopping experience. Updated stores now include redesigned produce displays and expanded gourmet offerings like charcuterie and sushi.
The retailer has improved its selection of organics, providing a broader selection of fresh high-quality products. Grab & Go sections cater to busy shoppers with quick meal options while improved layouts streamline navigation, underscoring Walmart’s efforts to adapt to changing consumer demands.
And here’s something I thought I’d never see at Walmart: A healthy push into the world of organic foods. While the chain is phasing out the Wild Oats organic brand from its shelves, it’s replacing it with newly launched organic items from its low-cost Great Value line.
The stalwart front-of-the-store Walmart greeter is being phased out. Walmart is replacing its "people greeters" with "customer hosts" who have expanded duties including handling refunds, keeping the aisles clean and checking receipts and carts warehouse-club-style as shoppers exit stores. Since hosts are required to perform more tasks than old-school greeters, they'll be able to assist with a wider range of customer needs.
The decision hasn't been universally celebrated. In particular, disabled greeters (and their advocates) complained in 2019 that they were being forced out because they can't perform the additional duties required of hosts. After a wave of bad PR, Walmart U.S. stores president and CEO Greg Foran vowed at the time to make every effort to find new positions for displaced disabled greeters (Foran has since left Walmart).
In a swipe at Amazon, Walmart is now offering free next-day shipping on orders of $35 or more for Walmart+ members, reaching a wide swath of the U.S. population (on the Walmart site, add your zip code and toggle the next day delivery button to see if it’s available at your store, or just go here).
But unlike Amazon Prime, which also offers free next-day delivery, you don't have to have a membership to be eligible for Walmart's free shipping. (Prime members pay $139 annually for access to expedited delivery options including next-day delivery.)
And now Walmart has its answer to Amazon Prime (and a way for you to get free next-day delivery with no minimum order). For $98 a year, WalmartPlus members get:
- Free next-day and two-day shipping with no minimum order online.
- Free same-day or next-day delivery from your neighborhood Walmart ($35 minimum order).
- Discounts on prescriptions.
- Discounts on gasoline.
- Mobile scan and go, meaning you can shop in the store with your phone and the app and check out with your phone for virtually contactless shopping.
Like Amazon with its Prime membership, Walmart says it will be tinkering with WalmartPlus and adding new services.
Walmart’s grocery customers can place orders online and then drive to their neighborhood store to have their bagged items loaded into the car for free. There's no need to leave your vehicle or enter the store. The service is free.
Walmart is also building onto the corner of many of its stores a dedicated area to pick up non-grocery items bought online, so shoppers don't have to wander into the sprawling Walmart Supercenters. It's fast, easy and there's no surcharge or membership fees. And if the item is already on the shelves of that store, you can get it the same day. Click here to see if it’s available in your town.
Walmart has significantly enhanced its app and online shopping experience, introducing features designed to eliminate guesswork. Shoppers can now create and manage gift registries seamlessly, with features like recommended items and the Scan to Add option, which allows in-store additions via the app. Kids can also create shareable wish lists, streamlining holiday gifting for friends and family.
For clothing shoppers, tools like "Choose My Model" and "Be Your Own Model" provide a personalized virtual try-on experience. Walmart has also improved labels for EBT-eligible groceries and expanded Spanish-language search functionality.
Walmart’s in-store MoneyCenter (or in some stores, its customer service desk) acts as a quasi-bank and Western Union (actually, MoneyGram), offering convenient access to financial services ranging from tax services to money transfers. Stores also process bill payments, issue money orders and even print checks.
You can even cash checks at Walmart. It costs $4 for up to $1,000 and a maximum of $8 for checks of more than $1,000.
The retailer’s financial product lineup includes the Walmart MoneyCard, a reloadable prepaid card that allows paycheck cashing, direct deposit and cash back on Walmart purchases, along with a 2% APY on up to $1,000 in a linked savings account.
For credit card users, the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard offers 5% cash back on pickup and delivery purchases made through Walmart.com or the Walmart app, 2% back in Walmart stores, at Murphy USA gas stations, on dining and travel
and 1% back on all other eligible purchases.
Cardholders also enjoy perks like purchase protection, price protection and extended warranty coverage, with additional benefits for those approved for the World Elite Mastercard version, such as cell phone protection. Points are earned in the form of rewards valued at one cent each and can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, or travel through the Capital One Travel Portal.
In the 90s, some of us climbed on board the Sam's Club train to take advantage of gas prices that ticked a few cents lower than nearby gas stations. Sam's Club, the warehouse club chain owned by Walmart, beat many Walmart stores to the punch with gas islands.
But now, many Walmarts have gas stations, and their prices are typically lower than surrounding gas stations.
Plus, "If you’re a WalmartPlus member ($98 a year), remember to fill up at their member gas stations where you can save 5 cents per gallon," says Bodge. "Participating gas merchants are Sam’s Club, Murphy, and the Walmart stores that have gas pumps."
That's an additional 5 cents per gallon on top of the already low gas prices.
Walmart over decades past was known for notoriously slow checkouts, long lines and a lot of registers — but most of them closed.
Walmart's has a fix for that, with banks of self-checkout registers overseen by a single employee. That was my experience at two Walmarts in central Virginia. One had a dozen self-checkout registers clustered together (so fewer employees are needed at the front end) and they were filled to capacity in the midday hour I visited. Each of the registers has a small video screen where you can watch yourself check out, presumably while someone is watching on the other end.
If you're one of the thousands of retired Americans living life on the road, you may be able to park your RV overnight at Walmart. There are no electric, water and sewer hookups, of course, and not every Walmart allows it, but many do. (Walmart notes more than 1,000 of its locations do not allow overnight parking, usually because of restrictions imposed by the landlord of the property or the municipality.)
Walmart doesn't charge for parking and notes roaming RV owners are some of its best customers. As a courtesy, RV owners say, overnighters should do some shopping in the store that allowed overnight parking. You should check with a store manager whether it's OK to park in their lot overnight.
Walmart updated its employee dress code to allow store associates to wear more comfortable attire, such as jeans and sneakers, encouraging them to bring their personal style to work. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with associates nationwide embracing this flexibility.
While the signature blue or green Walmart vest remains a staple, associates now have the choice to wear it or opt-out. For those who prefer the vest, Walmart introduced a modernized design featuring steel gray fabric with colorful trim and a pop of color from the Walmart spark. Made from recycled materials, the new vests also have larger pockets for functionality.
The giant retailer, mostly famous for fuddy-duddy apparel, cheap basics and knockoffs, is stepping up its fashion game.
Walmart has made a name for itself in the fashion world by offering stylish and affordable options through its in-house brands like Free Assembly, Time and Tru, and the Sofia Vergara Collection.
Free Assembly is a go-to for easy-to-style pieces that mix and match seamlessly, with versatile options for women and an adorable kids' line. Time and Tru offers a wide range of basics and bold styles, including maternity wear, making it a favorite for timeless staples like faux leather leggings, ribbed tunics, and utility pants. The Sofia Vergara Collection adds a touch of fun with vibrant prints, unique necklines, and standout denim featuring stylish belts and hems.
Walmart also owns the home goods website Allswell.
In 2023, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation contributed more than $1.7 billion in cash and in-kind donations to support programs addressing pressing global challenges. These efforts focused on creating opportunities, advancing sustainability, strengthening communities and promoting racial equity through the Center for Racial Equity.
By partnering with grantees, Walmart aims to tackle large-scale economic, environmental and social issues. Those interested in applying for grants can explore the foundation’s priority areas and review its grant eligibility page for details on how to collaborate.
Walmart is known for its everyday low prices, but savvy shoppers can find additional ways to save even more.
One effective strategy is to use Walmart’s app or website to stay informed about sales and promotions. Additionally, third-party platforms like CouponCabin offer cash-back opportunities for Walmart purchases.
For example, right now, you can earn up to 6% cashback plus 4% bonus cash simply by visiting CouponCabin.com or by installing their Sidekick browser extension, which will alert you to savings opportunities automatically when you visit Walmart.com.
Another tip is to use discounted Walmart gift cards from websites like GiftCardGranny, where savings vary throughout the year.
