Walmart is warming up the ground to completely change the horizon of its stores and, in its continuous race to remain number one in the American industry, they have decided to update their current shopping carts.
Are they going to remove the shopping carts? And how do I carry my things?
Relax, they are not going to remove anything, they are not going to get rid of them, can you imagine carrying many cans in your hand from the moment you enter until you leave? It would be very uncomfortable, and you would end up going to buy somewhere else… so, no, that is not their strategy (only if you are a regular buyer!). This company is going to get rid of a few metal carts with blue handles, but if you are a regular in these supermarkets you do not have to worry.
So what’s the change?
Walmart store operations executive Cedric Clark says these carts are a must for caregivers and people with disabilities and make shopping much more convenient and accessible for them. But Walmart plans to add two Caroline’s carts to every large supermarket and at least one to every Neighborhood Market (small supermarkets integrated into cities with the basics and essentials for everyday life).
That would add up to about 8,000 carts across the country, making it Technibit’s largest order yet.
Explain to me, what is a Caroline’s cart?
These are shopping carts with a slightly wider cart built in, unlike the ones we already know for babies and small children, this type of cart is specially designed so that adults can also sit and has a slightly lower center of gravity, and supports up to 250 pounds of weight, making it much safer for people with mobility problems, so that they can sit while shopping.
Technibilt’s explanation is simple: this type of cart was designed for people with special needs, so it offers caregivers a very practical way to transport people while also doing their shopping, eliminating the “barrier” of handling a wheelchair and a cart at practically the same time.
Caroline’s cart has no height restrictions and supports much more weight, and has side handles so that people can get up and sit down comfortably and safely.
Other benefits of belonging to the Walmart club
For years, Walmart has been keeping track of what its customers need. One example of this is its delivery service, which is now available in many areas. With a Walmart+ subscription for $12.95 a month or $98 a year, members enjoy free delivery on orders over $35, plus perks like gas discounts and faster delivery options. For those who can’t drive or have their hands full with family commitments, home delivery has been a great solution.
Another example was when Walmart launched a sensory shopping schedule designed to make the in-store experience more comfortable for everyone. From 8 to 10 a.m., all stores in the United States and Puerto Rico adjust their environments: TVs show still images, music turns off, and lights dim. This initiative seeks to create a calmer, more accessible space for those who prefer a less stimulating shopping environment, and especially focused on people on the autism spectrum condition (ASD).
Where will we find these new Walmart carts?
They will be present in stores in eleven states, including Colorado, Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama, Texas, Kentucky, New Mexico, Tennessee, Louisiana, Arizona and Oklahoma, and are scheduled to be available from 2025.
Data that reinforces this initiative.
Technibit data shows that at least one in five Americans has a disability, and that six million school-aged children also have one. This measure attempts to pay more attention to its customers with reduced mobility problems, just as they announced a new same-day prescription delivery service last October 2024.
Walmart is trying to be more than just a store and is focusing all its assets on helping the most affected communities.