WALMART has announced several changes this year, some of which have caused major controversy amongst shoppers.
Some of the changes included switching to digital pricing, removing self-checkouts, and updating the same-day delivery service.
Walmart has announced several major changes to its stores[/caption]
The store will change everything from its pricing to decor[/caption]
Walmart’s CFO, John David Rainey, recently commented on the store’s price hikes due to increased tariffs.
“We’re navigating this dynamic operating backdrop very well,” he said during an August earnings call.
“We said we would play offense to keep prices as low as we can for as long as we can, and that’s what we’re doing.”
The price hikes are just the latest of the store’s numerous changes impacting shoppers nationwide.
NEW TAG POLICY
Walmart confirmed to The U.S. Sun that its labeling process for certain items has changed as the store anticipates the tariffs coming into play.
“As we strive to provide the best value for our customers while remaining flexible and competitive, earlier this year we implemented a change to our labeling process for some items,” the chain said in a statement.
“Customers will now see prices for some items displayed on peg or shelf instead of hang tags.
“Some hang tags will also be stickered versus printed.
“We remain committed to providing the low prices our customers expect from Walmart,” the statement added.
SAME DAY DELIVERY CHANGES
Walmart is expanding its same-day service to 12 million more homes, promising faster and more efficient service for online shoppers.
Before the change, same-day delivery was restricted by zipcode, allowing only those living near a Walmart location to have access to it.
After the expanded service, 93% of Americans now have access to food, clothing, electronics, and garden supplies in a single delivery.
According to Walmart’s site, items will arrive at customers’ doors in two hours or less.
MAJOR RENOVATIONS
Not only is the store changing its prices, but Walmart is also changing its look.
Walmart reimagined
Starting in 2024, the retailer began updating its stores with a number of features, including:
- Expanded product selection
- Better product displays
- More efficient online pickup and delivery options
- Wider store aisles
- Reorganized pharmacy areas with privacy rooms
- Wider selection of eyewear at vision centers
- Digital screens and “digital touchpoints” throughout the stores
- Updated signage
- Energy-efficient equipment
Hundreds of stores are being remodeled, which will include an improved layout and new displays designed to grab shoppers’ attention.
Some of the sections that will be modernized, including bakery, grocery, and home departments, as reported by the CW affiliate KTLA-TV.
ULTRA-FAST EXPERIENCE
The retailer will also expand its drone delivery services to offer an “ultra-fast” delivery experience.
The option will now be available in Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Houston, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Tampa, Florida.
“This rapid expansion reinforces Walmart’s leadership in tech-enabled retail, bringing the future of shopping to even more customers — right from the sky, faster than ever before,” Walmart said in a press release.
“This expansion underscores Walmart’s commitment to reshaping the future of fast and flexible retail.”
THIRD PARTY CRACKDOWNS
The mega-retailer announced it will ramp up security efforts to protect customers against third-party sellers.
Third-party sellers sell goods independently of companies like Walmart; however, the products still appear on the company’s website.
Now, the company is working to fight against fake sellers.
Manish Joneja, senior vice president of Walmart U.S. Marketplace, told Axios: “You have to be proactive because bad actors learn fast — and they can learn Gen AI.
“We continue evolving our proactive and reactive defenses.
“The future of e-commerce does depend on customer trust and integrity.
“It’s difficult to get trust, but it’s easier to lose it.”
DIGITAL PRICING
Perhaps one of the most controversial of the changes is the store’s new digital pricing.
The store has been testing new digital tags at hundreds of locations, replacing traditional tags with digital ones that can update prices in real-time.
Customers are worried that prices will change in real time, but the store said that wouldn’t be the case.
SELF-CHECKOUT CHANGES
The store has begun limiting the number of self-checkout lanes available, while some locations have removed their self-checkouts completely.
In New Mexico, some stores had all of their kiosks taken out back in 2023 after some redesigns.
At the time, a spokesperson for the retailer told The US Sun that it was part of a mission to “continually look at ways to provide our customers with the best shopping experience possible, and that includes adjusting the checkout area in stores.”
