Walmart is the go-to shopping location for many Americans. While Americans spend billions of dollars annually at Walmart, many aren’t taking full advantage of shopping there. If you want to maximize your savings and have a smooth shopping experience, follow these ten unwritten rules for shopping at Walmart.
Let’s get started and see how many you’ve been breaking!
The History of Walmart
Walmart is one of the largest retailers and corporations in the world. Sam Walton started the first Walmart in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1962. However, the store quickly grew to compete with and eliminate retail giants like Sears and Kmart. Walton emphasized attention to customer service, controlling costs, and efficiency in all matters of the corporation, especially distribution networks.
What started as a single location in rural Arkansas is now a global empire. While there are thousands of Walmart stores in the United States, you’ll also find stores in Africa, Canada, Central America, Chile, China, India, and Mexico. They are expanding their reach by offering a vast online retail presence, making it easier for customers to spend money.
How Many Walmart Stores Are There?
There are 4500 Walmart stores in the United States and more than 10,500 retail stores globally. In addition to their prominent Walmart supercenter locations, they offer grocery-centered Neighborhood Markets. You can find Walmart stores in major cities and urban areas anywhere you travel.
Is Walmart Always Open?
For decades, Walmart was open almost 24 hours, every day except Christmas. However, the retail giant cut store hours during the 2020 pandemic. As a result, most locations now open their doors at 6 AM and close at 11 PM. This allows them time to restock shelves, clean, and sanitize the store without risking customer safety.
Pro Tip: Keep in mind these 7 Things You Should Know About Walmart Camping.
10 Unwritten Rules for Shopping at Walmart
We’ve gathered ten unwritten rules for shopping at Walmart. These will help you have the best shopping experience. Let’s take a look!
Take Advantage of Price Matching Policy
One of the best-kept secrets for shopping at Walmart is their price matching policy. Walmart wants to ensure customers get the best price when shopping. Therefore, if you find an item cheaper on their online store, they’ll match the price.
While there are some restrictions, there are many instances where you can keep cash in your pocket by taking advantage of this policy. Some transactions may require manager approval, but it might surprise you how generous managers can be in many cases.
Get a Walmart+ Membership
Walmart launched its Walmart+ membership in 2020 to compete with Amazon’s Prime service. By becoming a member, you get free unlimited deliveries, free next-day, and two-day shipping, fuel discounts, mobile scan and go while shopping in the stores, prescription discounts, and a free membership to Paramount+.
If you already do most of your shopping at Walmart, the Walmart+ membership can help you save even more money and potentially encourage you to cancel your Amazon Prime membership.
Download the Walmart App
If you shop at Walmart regularly, you need to download the Walmart app. This can help you locate items while shopping, which can be helpful when you’re in an unfamiliar store. Another advantage of the app is that you can quickly and easily check prices by scanning the barcode with your phone’s camera.
The Walmart app can help you to quickly get in and out of the store without wasting time or money.
Don’t Forget to Use Site-to-Store
Your local Walmart store may not always have a product in stock. However, you can order the item online, and Walmart will ship it to your local store using the site-to-store service. You’ll get a notification or email when the item arrives and is ready for pick-up. Bring an ID when you pick up your item at the store.
Don’t Assume Walmart Always Has the Best Price
Walmart does an excellent job of keeping its prices low, but they’re not always the cheapest. You can find some items cheaper or of better quality at other locations. If you’re pinching your pennies, it can sometimes be worth making multiple stops to save as much money as possible.
Curbside Pickup Is the Best
Finding time to grocery shop can be challenging, especially during a busy season. Luckily, Walmart has a curbside pickup service. You can order your groceries online, and they’ll gather them for you.
You can reserve a pick-up time that works for your schedule, and they’ll walk them to your vehicle and even load them for you. If you’re busy or don’t want to impulse buy items while walking through the store, this is a must-use service.
Great Value Brand Can Be Worth It
Walmart prides itself in its Great Value line of products. Many of the Great Value food products taste like name-brand items. Walmart has partnerships with some of the most prominent food manufacturers in the world.
Many are willing to create nearly identical products and sell them to Walmart at a lower price. The only difference between many of these products is the packaging and the price.
Always Stroll Through the Clearance Aisle
Walmart only has so much shelf space, and they don’t want to waste it with products that aren’t selling. If they notice a product isn’t moving quickly, they’ll often slash the price and toss it in an aisle for clearance items. You never know what you’ll find in the clearance aisle.
It’s possible to discover quite a deal.
Shop Early
If you want to fight the crowds, shop early. Walmarts are no longer 24-hour locations, so you’ll need to arrive when their doors open at 6 am. Shopping early helps you avoid crowds and long lines at the checkout lanes. Another advantage is getting the first pick of freshly-stocked items on the shelves.
Don’t Buy Everything at Walmart
Even if Walmart has the best price, you shouldn’t always shop there. Some shoppers prefer to buy their fruits, vegetables, and meats from specific locations to ensure they get the freshest products. If you support a local mom-and-pop shop by purchasing items from there, keep doing it.
You’ll typically get the newest products and exceptional customer service from these locations.
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Enjoy Everyday Low Prices While Being a Smart Shopper
Shopping at Walmart can save you money on your groceries and other essentials. It’s one of the few places where you can have your oil changed, fill your prescriptions, get a new pair of shoes, and stock up on groceries simultaneously. Follow these ten unwritten rules for shopping at Walmart, and you can enjoy everyday low prices even more!
Do you have any tips for saving money at Walmart? Let us know in the comments!
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