Walmart has done it again. In its eternal quest to remain #1 in the US industry, the giant retailer has decided to upgrade their current shopping carts.
No, do not fret. Walmart is not getting rig of all their metal carts with blue handles. Regular shoppers will not need to bring their own shopping bag (although it would look cute and creative though).
Cedric Clark, Walmart’s executive vice president of store operations, highlighted that these carts are essential for caregivers and individuals with disabilities or temporary injuries, making shopping easier and more accessible. Walmart plans to add two Caroline’s Carts to each Supercenter and at least one to every Neighborhood Market, totaling 8,000 carts nationwide—Technibit’s largest supply order yet.
But, what is exactly a Caroline’s Cart?
Well, this is a shopping cart with a built-in wide seat. Unlike standard carts made for infants and toddlers, Caroline’s Cart is specially designed for children and adults to sit comfortably. With a lower center of gravity, it can support up to 250 pounds, making it ideal for adults with mobility challenges to sit securely while shopping.
Technibilt explains that “Caroline’s Cart was designed for individuals with special needs. It offers caregivers a practical way to transport a person with special needs through a store while shopping, eliminating the difficult task of managing both a wheelchair and a regular shopping cart simultaneously”.
Unlike a traditional shopping cart, which supports a maximum weight of only 40 pounds and has height restrictions, Caroline’s Cart is much more user-friendly. It’s designed to make sitting and standing up easier, with two side handles instead of the usual single handlebar, providing support for both the shopper and the seated individual.
Walmart has been catering to customer needs for years. For instance, it now offers grocery delivery in many areas. With a Walmart+ subscription, priced at $12.95 per month or $98 annually, members get free delivery on orders over $35, along with perks like fuel discounts and quicker delivery options. Home delivery has become a great solution for those unable to drive or too busy with family responsibilities.
Walmart introduced its sensory-friendly shopping hours in November 2023. From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., this time slot was scheduled daily across all its stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. During these hours, TVs display a static image, the radio is turned off, and store lighting is dimmed.
These changes are designed to create a calmer environment for shoppers with sensory processing disorders and their families, making the shopping experience at Walmart more comfortable and pleasant. This schedule, already offered by many other retailers worldwide, has been warmly welcomed by customers who benefit from a low-stimulation setting while shopping.
Where can we find these new Walmart carts?
Caroline’s Carts will be a present feature in Walmart stores of eleven states, including Colorado, Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama, Texas, Kentucky, New Mexico, Tennessee, Louisiana, Arizona, and Oklahoma. This rollout is set to be completed across the USA by early 2025.
However, customers across the country are eager to see Caroline’s Carts in every Walmart location. Technibit’s data shows that one in five Americans has a disability, and six million school-age children live with disabilities. Making accommodations for these individuals is expected to enhance the shopping experience and strengthen customer loyalty.
Walmart has spent a good part of 2024 making sure to pay attention to their mobility-reduced customers. Apart from Caroline’s Carts adapted to disabled people, the giant retailer announced on October 2024 their new same-day prescription delivery service.
With hundreds of Walgreens and CVS locations closing across the US, Walmart has introduced a new service to support communities left without a nearby drugstore. This will make it easier for people, especially those with disabilities or limited transportation, to access medication closer to home.
While Walmart specializes in groceries—earning 60% of its yearly revenue from food sales—the retail giant is now turning its attention to health and wellness services. This sector is highly profitable, and Walmart has quickly stepped in to occupy spaces left empty by the widespread closures of Walgreens and CVS locations.