Have Changes at KY Walmarts Affected Your Shopping Experience?

The granddaddy of all big box stores--like all of its smaller siblings and cousins--is preparing for the 2023 holiday season. And amidst those preparations, Walmart--along with its customers--is also navigating recent changes implemented over the last few months.

Walmart Shopping Carts

New shopping carts probably don't sound like a huge deal to the casual observer, but I can honestly tell you that, until two days ago, I couldn't remember the last time I got a Walmart shopping cart that didn't have wobbly wheels or the dreaded "turning disease." Those two ailments usually go hand-in-hand. We've all been there, right?

So I wondered if the fact that my Sunday shopping experience was LITERALLY smooth sailing--perfect wheels, no "front-end alignment" required--WAS the "new Walmart shopping cart experience" I've heard about. But no. Oh it might be part of it, but my cart Sunday did NOT have these features found at new carts at the Mayfield KY Walmart:

Now, I have seen the small carts with cup holders, but Walmart--at the least the ones I've visited in Kentucky--don't have them yet. Well, Mayfield does, but I've not been to that one.

Walmart's New Sensory-Friendly Shopping Hours

During the 2023 back-to-school season, the retail giant did a test run of sensory-friendly shopping hours on Saturdays.

Earlier this year, we took a step in making shopping in our stores more inclusive for those with sensory disabilities by taking measures to create a less stimulating environment for a couple hours each Saturday. During the back-to-school season, we changed the TV walls to a static image, turned off the radio and lowered the lights where possible. The feedback of the pilot program was overwhelmingly positive. These changes may have seemed small to some, but for others they transformed the shopping experience. Our biggest piece of feedback? Keep it going!

And so they did. Those hours are now permanent--8 AM to 10 AM, Monday through Friday.

Walmart's New Late-Night Delivery

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Now, this doesn't mean that Walmart has returned to being open 24 hours a day. I doubt we'll see that again, in fact, I've noticed that Owensboro Walmarts are no longer even open until 11 PM. The other night, at 9:30 PM, I heard the announcement that "Walmart will be closing in 30 minutes; please check out your items now." That was news to me. As for late-night deliveries, Walmart plans to offer express delivery until 10 PM if the order is placed by 9:30. Very convenient. Very efficient. And, for many, a life-saver.