Walmart is Building Physical Stores That Don’t Actually Sell Anything. Here’s Why…
Love online shopping but hate the hassle of in-store pickup?
Walmart recently started testing pickup point locations that don’t actually sell anything! That means you can order items for in-store pickup, head to the pickup location and grab your order without ever entering the store – perfect for busy parents who don’t want to get their kiddos out of the car and/or when there is bad weather!
As an example, Walmart recently opened its first Walmart Pickup Point, a 40,000 square-foot prototype store outside of Chicago in Lincolnwood, Illinois. Customers simply drive up to designated parking spots, and a Walmart worker loads up their car with their order. Although this Lincolnwood location looks like a Walmart supercenter, customers are not able go inside – it is strictly an order pick-up facility.
What do you think about potentially never having to shop inside a store again?
Does this idea sound good to you or would you miss browsing the aisles? When we think of not going into a physical store and possibly shopping entirely from our phones, it kind of makes us sad and actually brings back fond memories of walking the aisles at Blockbuster. Oh how we miss those Friday night movie outings!
This world just keeps getting weirder.
Agreed!
I think company’s are enabling us to become lazier and lazier. This is convenient for sure, but really how lazy are we?
Ditto! I think of my kids & how we just keep minimizing the opportunities for them to interact with others. I love the convenience but it does make us lazier. I think, like anything else there should be a healthy balance
Agreed!
Definitely agree also! I worry about my kids and the world they are growing up in. I think most of these changes (more tech, less face to face interaction) are doing far more harm than good for society in general.
It’s like that movie wallE.
Everyone is gonna be chubby:(
This is amazing! Between social media and stuff like this I’ll almost never have to see another human being!! 😂😂😂
Yup! Just like in the animated movie “Wall-e”…🤣😂😆
I’ve been thinking that same thing. We are certainly heading in that direction. Scary!
So true !
😂😂……😭😭
Isaac Asimov was way ahead of his time. Check out some of those old sci fi books and the world is looking more and more like his vision. Scary.
Love it, keeps prices down. Lower overhead.
Funny how you mention those blockbuster movie nights! Remember it was once such a treat to go find that family rental Friday or Saturday:) It truly is one of those great memories!!! In this busy world I get it, and it’s easier, BUT making those memories and having them are priceless ❤️ BUT yes we can make different memories now to:)
SO true! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, Bev! ❤️
I think it would definitely keep prices lower simply because it would eliminate ALL shoplifting! However, I do hate the minimization of human interaction.
I saw the photo with the boys striking a pose in front of Blockbuster and it brought back so many good memories of picking out snacks, roaming around reading video game boxes and looking at the cool artwork (which never looked like the game inside since they were NES/SNES/Sega games!!!). Bargaining with Mom or Dad because we -totally- could watch four movies in one night (and we could!!!), and afterward stopping at our pizza shop of choice and picking up the second half of the Friday Night equation – a piping hot pepperoni. Remember how Little Caesars used to have a game inside, like the original Simon? If you could do so well, you received a free soda, crazy bread, or even an extra pizza! 25 cents a play! It’s kind of cool to be old enough to reminisce like this!
Very funny Mary.
It will however save me from spending on impulse buys, and hot wheels to keep my child chill:)
Yes! I was thinking the same thing about impulse buys! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Bev!
Or the hot wheels to keep the hubby happy!
Your comment made me think of something else that is handy; in the summers we don’t have the possibility of leaving our children or pets in a hot car because we forgot/”forgot”! No running into Target, CVS, then here, then there. Just one carload from this place and the kids and furbabies stay safe!
While I love picking up my groceries curbside some weeks…I actually like shopping in actual stores. This makes me sad. I don’t like the fact that the world is getting so so busy, that this is the future.
My Walmart brings out my online orders when I’m doing grocery pickup. Very convenient.
YES! I love the grocery pick up option at my store! It sure is helpful during a super busy week!
They’re trying to keep up with Amazon basically.. n this is just another way to do it.
Not happy about all the plastic bags though they’re still using.. time Walmart n others like Target also get with the “no plastic bag” movement.
Absolutely. This is a really great time for them to move to a more environmentally friendly way of packing things. No bags, just transfer from their cart to your car. New Zealand has been done with plastic bags for over 14 years!
plastic bags are not allowed in the major city that i live next to unless they are reusable…walmart made really great thick reusable ones for those stores and in that city you have to pay 5 or 10 cents per bag if you don’t bring your own, hoping more cities implement these laws as well
I totally agree
I love this!
But I hate people, sooo…
Ha! This makes me laugh and sad at the same time. But I get it, I sometimes feel the same way.
All of this keeps reminding me of the movie Wall-E. Just lay there and manage your whole life through your fingertips and a screen. Scary what could be possible if we don’t watch how we do things. It’s also sad that our children and grandchildren may never know what it’s like to push a shopping cart up and down the isles browsing at all the possibilities on the shelves
Watch black mirror and you will be truly scared! Lol It’s crazy to think about the ways technology could change our lives for the worse.
My Target does this already! Drive up pickup. SO SO NICE for when you don’t want to wake up your sleeping baby to pick up your items. Not all items are eligible, but the majority of what I need are! I actually HATE how Walmart does their instore pickup right now. It’s in the back of the store (not convenient) and there is never anyone actually standing there waiting to help you. They always have to page someone to help. I might as well have gone to the store to actually find it and check out myself with how long the process takes. Hope this idea expands! I also hope that maybe Walmart will utilize empty warehouse size buildings (empty Herberger’s, Toys R Us, etc.) to do this!
Yes. At my Walmart they can never find the item I ordered. Last time I went to pick up something it was at least 20 minutes before someone helped me. I should say last and final time. I’ll go anywhere to avoid Walmart n
Walmart Pickup brings your order to your car where I am. We also have a pickup only location here, but it’s not 40,000 square feet. I think it’s more the size of a Neighborhood Market, but I’m not sure, I’ve never used it. I do use Walmart Pickup, but still go to a store. I especially like it when it’s really cold outside or I need something like a 40 pound bag of dog food.
Just read that Nordstrom is doing the same thing as well.
Oh cool! Thanks for sharing with us, S!
For me personally, all of this has its place. But I still love to go in and look around as well. It just depends on what’s going on in my life at the time
There are some things I like to see in person or touch before I buy, and others that I need to try on, so for that reason, I hope that physical stores remain available. I also get overwhelmed with all the choices online, and sometimes prefer to shop in store because the selection is limited by shelf space. I do love the convenience, though, of having someone else pull items off the shelf for me–such a time saver.
I agree. I want to see & feel things. And it’s a wonderful surprise when something catches my eye or is marked down. Also hate scrolling through pages of individual items online. It takes me longer to shop online than in stores sometimes.
I live minutes away from that new location! I didn’t know what it was but now I will have to try it!
Perfect! Hope you love it, Rachel!
Walmart in Metairie, LA has one that they opened about 18 months ago…it was a godsend.
Oh awesome! Glad to hear you are loving yours!
Just another experience children will start growing up without having 🙁 it’s sad to see grown children who don’t know how to shop for themselves! What happened to the times when parents taught their kids how to budget by taking then shopping, for example: Teaching them which items are a better deal, which items are cheaper by the ounce, if the sale is really a good deal or they should wait. And teaching kids to behave in the store without whining for things, for example: We only have enough money for what’s on our groceries list, we can’t grab you a juice, or a toy.
I don’t think kids are “missing out” by not going to Walmart. It’s not as if every retail establishment is shutting down, either, but maybe with fewer bricks-and-mortar retail establishments, shopping will cease to be a “pastime” or “sport” in this country. Consumerism is out of hand.
In-store Walmart shopping is an experience that I can do without, personally. It’s seldom my first choice. I get what you’re saying but still think you can still teach kids how to shop both in-store and online when they’re ready for that responsibility. Life as we used to know it has changed pretty drastically so we have to keep pace. However, there are times when I prefer to go in the store and see what’s available. Especially when I’m looking for something specific or just want to wander around and see what’s on sale that I don’t need, lol.
You could still teach these things looking online.
I like this idea. I don’t find anything weird or sad about it.
But what about coupons?? I love to use coupons at Walmart self checkout because they always work and I don’t need “approval”!
I don’t find anything listed about accepting coupons. We’ll be sure to keep an eye out for if any additional information pops up!
I personally love not having to take my toddler grocery shopping!!! Grocery shopping online helps me stick to my budget, not impulse buy, and buy only what I need. Not to say we don’t run in and pick up a few items every now and then. It makes grocery shopping a lot more enjoyable.
I’ve seen some store similar in Mexico – you drive into the store and the cashier runs over to the car and gets what ever you ask for 👍
I don’t shop at my local walmart so not sure I would shop there either. My walmart is weird and unfriendly especially if you try to use coupons. They are not friendly to couponers. I love when they try to tell me that we are the reason that groceries are so high and it isn’t fair that other people can’t get deals on their groceries like we do.
Hahaha, just goes to show how ignorant people really are! Oh no, you’re a smart shopper and not everyone can be. What???
Like as if you’re personally stealing it?! lol. Walmart ain’t exactly hurting for profits either!
I’m a people person, so I enjoy watching and at times interacting with other shoppers. I’m the annoying older lady standing beside you who points out an item I’ve really enjoyed. I’m the one who tells your little girl that she looks like a princess today and your little boy that I love his Superman shirt. My intent is really not to be annoying but to be friendly. Is talking to strangers a southern thing? I’m from SC.
I love this, Pamala! How sweet. I enjoy talking to people in the store as well! I don’t think it’s a southern thing. I’ve lived all over the U.S. and find it all over.
There are a lot of items I find myswlf really needing to see in person so although these ‘new stores’ are a good idea, I think they have their place and we still need the ability to ‘see, feel, and compare’ at a walk in store.
Yes its at our location and yes I would use it to pickup as I am having extremely hard time shopping with 5 kids.They are super hard to control and crying so loud in stores so this is a very nice option to me to shop and pickup only if the prices are same as in stores.
This is just another way for less and less people to be unemployed. I see both sides, but I really like the smaller markets. I am a big Aldi’s Shopper and I love to shop there as they have so many neat things to look at. We are seeing stores close all the time. Companies can not compete against Walmart and Amazon.
I don’t agree with less people being employed in this scenario. I have seen quite often their employees going through the store and shopping for the items. They then have to ring them up, bag them and pack up the orders for someone to bring them out to you when you get there to pick up.
Not liking this concept because then you might have to tip the person bringing your stuff
I just did my first grocery pick up at Walmart. As I drove away I wondered if I should have tipped the loader. Is it typical to tip? I’m a newbie 🙂
No tipping is allowed for grocery pickup staff at Walmart Bridget.
Good to know thanks!!
No tipping is allowed at Walmart for their employees doing the pick up service.
I had this same idea about five years ago when they closed all the neighborhood markets in my city. I thought why not turn them into a warehouse pickup area only? However, after thinking about it more I realized it’s a waste of money and company resources. They already have grocery pickup at stores so this seems pointless.
Well, that is one way to stop all of the shoplifting!
Oh no. They’re not taking my shopping away from me yet.
I may be the minority but I enjoy going to Walmart sometimes. It is something to do and it’s kind of fun to watch strange people.
I love it. My New Year’s resolution is to spend less time in stores. If I calculated all the hours spent shopping in one month I’m sure it is a good amount of time I could have spent doing something more meaningful, like taking care of my home and spending time with family. And being less frazzled from traffic, rushing around. Not too mention I’m spending less now doing Pickup. And sticking to my list. The list goes on and on! 🙂 Yay
And does this include liquor then? Asking for a friend…
Yes, they cannot accept tipping, but I always fold my tip up and I hand them the palm reader, and the tip is underneath.
It is weird how everything is changing but I can’t stand going into Walmart. I like the fact that I can easily get the items I need without going inside and dealing with fussy kids, getting snappy and stressed out. I would much rather spend the time that I save by shopping for other items at more enjoyable shops and not being rushed or annoyed, but being relaxed and in the moment with my children. For me I am happy not to have to set foot in certain stores.
I like by this walmart. Its so wierd. Its a huge walmart pickup sign next to a gym. Just the most randomest place ever! And the real walmart is literally 2 mins of a drive away so i dont even get why they made this!
I don’t trust other people to pick out the fruits/veggies for me. Our family eats a ton of fresh food and I don’t think I would trust other people to pick out the very best ones for me. Plus, I’m going to look for the ones that will last the longest if it’s something we’re eating later in the week or something that is ripe if I’m having it that night or the next. I don’t care about convince as much as I do quality. For some people, like those with disabilities, I think this is great for them but I have never used a drive up service and hope I don’t ever have to.
So true. I’ve always felt the same. The other day, I was shopping for a couple tomatoes at Kroger. I had a tough time finding three that weren’t spotted but the clicklist employee just grabbed a couple without even looking at them. I’ll just shop for myself, thanks. . . .
Yes! Why not?! Sounds amazing!!!
It’ll be interesting during holiday shopping time. Pull up to pick up. Not having the hassle of a crowded store. I have take me to pick up items that are “ready for pickup” and I just can’t resist making it a double duty trip. My impromptu shopping usually bugs my “driver”. I politely apologize although I know I am blessed to have sometime willing to take me for the pick ups. And to add insult to injury….lately it seems that when I check in at the Kiosk…..the overhead monitor doesn’t register my name. Small items stored in the Kiosk itself automatically come on down. Any thing larger takes a lot longer to have brought out to me. If there isn’t a “greeter” recognizing I’m there to pick up something, I usually have to go find someone to assist me after waiting 10 or more minutes….. If the monitor was showing my name, I’d feel better knowing they were just busy and would get around to me when my turn came up. I am just not sure what is going on lately with the online order pick up process. Once brought to their attention, the item(s) come in record time. Definitely time consuming when I need to get in and out.
… and what about those “People of Walmart” photos?
Will they become extinct?
I’d rather spend the time that grocery pick up SAVES me with my kids! Dragging kids from aisle to aisle is not the way I want to use up our limited time together. With school and work 7 days a week; we make the most of our time by ordering our groceries online & I pick them up while everyone is out. We take our kids out exploring/kayaking/hiking, to museums/aquariums, we get outside and camp/get dirty in the garden/make forts…we don’t want to stand in line at Walmart on a sunny day. I absolutely not concerned that they are missing out on any “life lessons” by skipping the grocery store trips.
I’m thinking of all the money I will not spend browsing while walking to the back of the store to pick up my online orders. Count me in!
Every time I stop by Walmart I swear I would never go back again. I only go there for very few items I can’t find anywhere else and always have to wait in line for 10 minutes or so. Even self check out has huge lines. One store has over 20 registers. There are only 4 registers open on weekends, in the evenings, when they are super busy. How is this possible? So maybe this is a good thing, although I have never tried letting someone else shop for me before… I have mixed feelings.
With walmart starting to lock up everything even down to dollar iteams in the toys cosmetics and baby section
I think that depends on the Walmart. I notice that my Walmart doesn’t have anything locked up other than some electronics but there’s another Walmart in a bad area where people steal and get shot a lot etc and that one has more locked items.
I live in a rural community and Walmart is one of the few places to shop. I personally love that it has all that we need and is open all hours. It does not offer drive up service.
Shopping at Walmart is a social thing around here.
I have friends in the city who swear by Walmart pick up. She places her order Sunday night and picks up Monday after school drop off. She had always gotten fine produce – only had to refuse something once. They replace items if necessary but it has benefited her. They give her the larger size of something when the smaller size she ordered was out of stock. In fact they gave her a cake at her one year anniversary of starting Walmart pick up. She has 5 children and in this season of her life she doesn’t want to spend it grocery shopping with busy kids.
I use Walmart grocery pickup every week, but sometimes I forget to grab something until the last minute, so it’s convenient to be able to run inside and grab it. This pickup point thing would be a pain because it’d mean stopping by another store too.