Five new Walmart store changes face backlash despite executives’ promises as shoppers claim ‘it’s been a mess’

WALMART has implemented changes in its stores, many of them aimed at improving the customer experience.

However, the retailer continually faces backlash from shoppers regarding its recent changes.

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Walmart has worked to revamp its operations in recent months.

Part of the retailer’s initiatives involve self-service, shopping carts, price tags, store format and employees.

Shoppers were quick to criticize the online retailer over these changes.

1. SELF-CHECKOUT

Widely implemented in stores in the early 2000s, self-checkout machines caused a lot of conflict for both retailers and consumers.

Several Walmart locations have decided to remove the machines completely, including one in St. Louis, Missouri.

The change was aimed at improving shoppers’ in-store experience and allowing associates to provide personalized, efficient service, according to Walmart spokesman Brian Little.

However, buyers did not accept the change easily.

“I dropped off a cart full of items two weeks ago at the Shrewsbury store in St. Louis,” one shopper shared on X.

“It’s been a mess since it opened 10 years ago; however, it is now unsustainable.

“At least 50 people wait at the self-checkout while employees and management just watch.

“Zero open checkout lanes.”

2. SHOPPING CARTS

Walmart has also updated its shopping carts, implementing the change in some US locations over the past year.

Several locations began using the new carts in March.

The updated shopping carts are equipped with cup holders and phone holders for added convenience.

However, many shoppers complained that the new carts had a major design flaw – they were noticeably taller than previous shopping carts.

The height difference presented a challenge for shorter buyers.

“I stopped going to Walmart. I don’t like the new carts. Making fun of short people,” one shopper shared on Facebook.

“Dear Walmart, please explain to me how a person who is 5 feet tall or less can push those new tall carts you so stupidly purchased,” criticized a second customer.

Other shoppers complained that the updated strollers made it difficult to see beyond their children sitting in the stroller or that pushing the strollers made them physically sore.

Some parts of our business have made changes that will result in the reduction of several hundred positions on campus.”

Mrs. MorrisWalmart People Director

3. PRICE TAGS

The third change the major retailer is rolling out is to price tags.

Walmart is replacing its paper price tags with digital labels at 1,400 of its 2,300 locations, after being successfully tested in Grapevine, Texas, for Reuters.

The retailer plans to have digital labels in all 2,300 stores by 2026.

The new price tags will reduce the time it takes employees to change prices, prevent mispriced items, and allow for faster, more accurate online order fulfillment.

However, buyers should not fear “price gouging,” a practice that involves rapid price changes without notice.

“It’s absolutely not going to be one hour where that price is going to be that and the next hour it’s not going to be that,” said Greg Cathey, senior vice president of transformation and innovation at Walmart.

4. STORE FORMAT

Walmart is also changing the format of its stores with the launch of two new stores in Neighborhood Market.

They will open in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and the Vine City neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia.

Although Neighborhood Markets are smaller than regular Walmarts, the two new locations will be about 17,000 square feet larger than the typical Neighborhood Market.

The Florida and Georgia stores will feature 57,000 square feet of sales, pickup and delivery space.

They will be the first of more than 150 Walmart stores opened or converted into markets over the next five years.

5. EMPLOYEES

Walmart’s latest change will impact its workforce.

Walmart Chief People Officer Donna Morris announced last month that the retailer would be laying off hundreds of employees.