Walmart is currently under fire as frustrated customers take to social media to vent about increased wait times and new in-store hurdles, criticizing recent changes that they claim have significantly worsened the shopping experience at the retail giant.
Long Lines at Walmart Frustrate Shoppers
Shoppers are taking to social media to voice their frustrations with Walmart, particularly upset over the new challenges they face while shopping, including significantly longer lines.
According to The U.S. Sun, many have pinpointed store changes as the main reasons for congestion.
One X user expressed their exasperation, noting that due to only two self-checkout stations being open, lines now extend back to the clothing department, with barely any staff in sight except for a single receipt checker at the exit.
In March 2024, Today reported that Walmart shoppers have expressed dissatisfaction on social media platforms like TikTok and Reddit, where recent posts show self-checkout lanes being closed off, leaving only traditional cashier services available.
One TikTok user noted experiencing this issue at different Walmart locations, observing closures of self-checkout lanes and the re-opening of manned registers around the same time each visit.
Walmart Shoppers Face Cart Challenges
Meanwhile, when shoppers enter and pick up a shopping cart, many Walmart customers face their first challenge. Shoppers often struggle with carts that have defective wheels, making navigation through the store's aisles difficult.
While rumors suggest retailers may use difficult-to-manage carts intentionally to slow shoppers down, allowing them more time to look at products, the more likely explanation for the malfunctioning wheels is simpler and less conspiratorial.
Amid these in-store hurdles, one frustrated customer voiced their displeasure online, noting not just the cart issue but also the lack of bagging options and modern payment facilities like Apple Pay, topped off with a receipt check by security on the way out, all adding to a less-than-ideal shopping experience.
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Alex Poulos, the sales director for R.W. Rogers, which provides shopping carts to retailers like Whole Foods, Tractor Supply Company, and Meijer, explained to CNN why carts at grocery stores typically face more wear and tear than other types of retailers.
The frequent trips that shoppers make with the carts to their cars to unload groceries take a toll on the carts' condition.
Dragging the carts across parking lots and over curbs can damage the caster plate-the metal piece that connects the wheel to the cart. Poulos noted that even a slight twist in the caster plate can lift a wheel off the ground, causing uneven and difficult maneuvering.
Walmart Hurdles: Bags, Payments, Receipt Checks
Moreover, according to The U.S. Sun, other hurdles involve Walmart's bags, payment methods, and receipt policy.
Several Walmart stores have stopped offering single-use plastic and paper bags as part of their "Bag Better" initiative to reduce waste and promote reusable bags. This change affects stores in Colorado, Connecticut, and New York.
Jane Ewing, Walmart's senior vice president of Sustainability, emphasized on WTNH the company's commitment to becoming zero waste and making sustainable choices easier for customers.
Additionally, despite its popularity and the convenience of tap-to-pay options, Walmart has not adopted Apple Pay. This limitation frustrated one shopper who had to retrieve their wallet from their car just to make a payment.
Lastly, Walmart has intensified its security measures, including mandatory receipt checks, in response to substantial losses due to theft, which amounted to billions over the past few years. This measure and locking up essential items are part of Walmart's strategy to mitigate these losses.
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