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Whether you prefer to shop in person or online, chances are you’ve recently visited a department store to pick up some supplies.
Maybe you’re shopping for back-to-school supplies. Maybe you’re looking for a deal on electronics or technology. Maybe you’re shopping for pet supplies, exercise equipment, cheap groceries, or specialty items. The list goes on.
Related: Walmart Revives Popular Service It Once Abandoned
The bottom line is that many Americans are becoming increasingly price-sensitive. Many of us are choosing to shop in places with better pricing power, even if it means driving a little farther or moving away from the convenience and comfort of our typical stores.
This is partly why Walmart (WMT) It is expected to be financially successful in 2024.
The retail giant, which reported first-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings in May, saw stronger-than-expected performance across most of its key categories, due in part to a price-cutting program.
“Our results were stronger than we expected, with sales growing 5.7% and adjusted operating earnings up 12.9% in constant currency. All three operating segments performed well,” CEO Doug McMillon said on the earnings call.
Walmart has been particularly vocal about its efforts to bring down food prices to pre-inflation levels, and those efforts have clearly paid off.
Walmart
Walmart is in the midst of a major overhaul.
While continuing to lower prices across all stores, Walmart also announced its efforts to revamp the shopping experience to make it a more enjoyable place for everyone.
“Our store refurbishments look good and are performing well,” McMillon told analysts on the first-quarter call. “In addition, our curbside pickup and delivery capabilities are improving, as indicated by our customer experience metrics.”
Related: Walmart Store Managers Now Earn Staggering Income
Walmart has pledged to invest at least $9 billion to make stores cleaner, easier to navigate and feel fresher. The renovations will take several years to complete and are expected to affect at least 1,400 stores.
Some of these changes include:
- Updated interior and exterior designs
- New paint, signs, shopping carts
- Wider, more navigable lanes
- New payment design
- Larger and more centralized pharmacies
- Vision centers renewed with more designer glasses
- Interactive corner displays showcasing home, bedding and furniture designs.
- Interactive digital screens to learn more about products
- More space for pickup and delivery options
- Seasonal Items at the Dollar Store
- Ready meals section with fresh meals and drinks
Walmart Adds New Food Deals
Walmart has made no secret of its ambitions to modernize the shopping experience for everyone, and some of those changes affect its in-store food offerings as well.
For many years, many Walmart stores have offered in-store fast food options from places like McDonald’s, (MCD) Subway and Taco Bell. (Right)
But management says part of the key to attracting a new set of eager customers is offering new food options, too.
More from Walmart:
- Walmart Raises Pricing on Home Service
- Walmart Launches Cheap Brand That Customers Will Love
- Some Walmart Stores Are Making a Surprise Change to Their Self-Checkout Method
The company announced Tuesday that it will partner with Knuckie Hoagies, a Milton, Ga.-based chain that specializes in fresh sandwiches and cheesesteaks. The agreement gives franchisees the opportunity to open a cookie dough stand for college alumni at each location as well.
Knuckie’s was founded in 2019. In 2023, it was named to QSR’s 40/40 list, meaning it was one of the most popular restaurants in the United States with fewer than 40 locations. It currently has 14 Walmart stores across six states, including
- Georgia
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
- Tennessee
- Oklahoma
- Texas
Walmart is opening hundreds more grocery stores in 2024 alone. Earlier this spring, it began a partnership with Mr. Gatti’s Pizza in more than 90 stores, and in January, it agreed to expand its partnership with Uncle Sharkii’s Poke.
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