Walmart is the biggest brick-and-mortar retailer in the world, so the changes it makes impact millions of customers.
Even if you have tried-and-true shopping hacks for Walmart that you like to use, you still may need to adapt to any modifications the retailer makes, and they've made plenty so far this year.
The big-box chain is rolling out quite a few changes throughout 2024. Here is a list of everything you need to know about these changes.
Walmart Secrets: 7 genius hacks all Walmart shoppers should know
1. Digital shelf labels
Rather than maintaining its current system of paper shelf labels, Walmart is going digital, with 2,300 stores getting digital shelf labels by 2026. The move is expected to improve efficiency.
Are you a homeowner? Don't let unexpected home repairs drain your bank account. 2. Enhanced home deliveries
If you prefer to have your shopping haul delivered, Walmart is adding an in-home delivery option to Walmart+ memberships in select locations.
The delivery person will enter your home (wearing a camera) and leave your items where instructed. You can view the footage for seven days.
Current Walmart+ members can add the service for an extra $7 per month or $40 per year.
3. More drone deliveries
Walmart is expanding its drone delivery program in 2024, where there is enough demand for and access to the technology. Regional laws also have to allow such use of the airspace.
Drone delivery will be available in the majority of the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 2024, with more markets to come.
Make Money: 8 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially
4. Quieter stores with reduced lighting
Walmart is turning the lights down and muting the sound system during some parts of the day. By making the store calmer and quieter, the company hopes to give neurodivergent shoppers and employees a better in-store experience.
Thanks to the quieter atmosphere, some people may find they are prone to staying in the store for longer periods of time.
5. A greater selection of free samples
Everyone loves free samples, and Walmart knows it. The retailer will offer more of them during the rest of 2024, which means you are more likely to score a freebie next time you shop.
These demos will also include a QR code that you can scan with your smartphone for more details about the products.
6. An AI-powered shopping assistant
Move over, Siri, because Walmart is in the process of beta testing an AI-powered shopping assistant. It’s programmed to help you figure out the best item to buy by asking it questions.
Keep an eye on the Walmart app (and website, eventually) to see when this feature will roll out in your area.
Grow Your $$: 11 brilliant ways to build wealth after 40 7. More Neighborhood Market locations
Walmart’s Neighborhood Market stores offer shoppers a scaled-back version of the big-box store model that focuses on community needs. In the next five years, Walmart plans to open 150 more Neighborhood Market locations.
These will be larger in size than their existing counterparts. More selection, wider aisles, and increased pickup and delivery space are intended to improve the customer shopping experience.
8. A new private label
In the spring of 2024, Walmart debuted a new house brand. Bettergoods offers about 300 products that lean into food and nutritional trends, and each has a price tag between $2 and just under $15.
Options include plant-based foods (like ice cream and vegan cheeses), culinary experiences (like specialty spice mixes and soups), and “made without” items, such as those that are gluten-free or made without artificial flavors.
9. More parcel stations
Online orders are on the rise among Walmart customers. With this increased demand comes the need for more parcel stations, which the company started rolling out in 2023.
Essentially, these are small post offices for Walmart deliveries. The retailer will create more of these stations throughout the rest of 2024, with the intention of speeding delivery times.
Money Goals: Make these 7 savvy moves when you have $1,000 in the bank 10. On-demand early morning delivery
Morning people, this one's for you: Walmart has rolled out on-demand early morning delivery.
Starting at 6 a.m., you can order online and have your item in your hands a half-hour later. If you are a Walmart+ member, there is no additional fee. If not, it’s $10 or $5 if you can wait three hours.
11. 'Buy-now, pay-later' opportunities
In 2023, Walmart introduced what is essentially an interest-free line of credit, allowing you to buy what you need and make monthly payments on the balance. The service was available online or with a cashier in stores.
Now, the service is available in self-checkout lanes at more than 4,500 brick-and-mortar locations. Just be sure to stay on top of your payments.
12. Reduced access to self-checkout
Some Walmart stores are removing their self-checkout stations. Why? It’s all dependent on shopper feedback, employee preferences, and what works best for each store.
Keep an eye on your location to see if this will impact your shopping habits.
Get Out of Debt for Good: Try these 6 clever ways to crush your debt
Bottom line
Walmart has always been a reliable place to save money shopping for groceries, housewares, clothing, and just about everything else. With these new changes, you should be able to further customize your experience to better suit your preferences.
More changes may be coming down the pike, given the impact of technology and changing consumer habits.
More from FinanceBuzz:
Get Out of Debt for Good: Try these 6 clever ways to crush your debt.
Most Popular
Comments / 0