Walmart shoppers are noticing something new—and a little strange—on their shopping carts. It is a small white box placed underneath the basket, and if you have seen one and thought, “What is that thing?”, you are not alone.
A photo of the device recently popped up on Reddit, and shoppers across the country are now curious. Let us break down what this white box is, what it does, and why Walmart decided to add it to carts.
What is the white box under Walmart shopping carts?
So, let us get straight to the question many of you are asking—what is this white box?. The box is a security device. It is designed to lock the cart’s wheels if it crosses a certain boundary, usually the edge of the store’s parking lot. Some believe it may also track how carts move inside the store to help improve store layout and flow.
Shoppers on Reddit had several theories, but most agreed it is mainly a theft-prevention tool. One user explained,
“It is designed to lock the wheels if the cart crosses a perimeter or an electronic boundary, preventing theft or unauthorized removal.”
Another added that workers who installed them mentioned they also help track movement patterns within the store.
Why is Walmart adding these anti-theft devices?
You might not realize this, but shopping carts are expensive. Like, really expensive. A single shopping cart can cost between $500 and $1,000. Supermarket News reports that 2 million carts are stolen every year in the U.S. That adds up to about $175 million in losses for retailers, according to The Food Marketing Institute.
One Reddit user even mentioned,
“Your average Walmart Supercenter quite probably has a couple hundred thousand dollars worth of carts on the property at any given time.”
So when carts go missing, it is not just annoying—it is a major financial loss.
Are shoppers reacting positively or negatively?
The reactions have been a mix of curiosity, jokes, and genuine interest. Some users made light of the situation, joking that the white box was a mobile Poké Stop or that it tracks how many grapes you eat while shopping. Others welcomed the change, understanding the reasoning behind it. But there are still some who feel like it is a bit much, especially if it ends up making the carts harder to use. Still, it looks like most people understand that this is a way for Walmart to protect their investment and reduce theft.
What other changes has Walmart made to its carts recently?
If the white box feels like just another new thing, you are right. Walmart has made a few updates to their carts over the past year.
Here is what changed last summer:
- They added a cup holder and phone holder for more convenience.
- The handlebar was raised by 3.5 inches.
- The child seat was made 5.8 inches taller.
While the extra features were appreciated by some, many shoppers—especially those on the shorter side—complained that the carts were now harder to use.
Some even said it caused physical discomfort when pushing the carts, or that they could not see over the top when their child was seated.
Can you be fined for taking a shopping cart?
Yes, and the laws are stricter than you might think. Some U.S. states can charge up to $2,500 in fines for cart theft. In some areas, retailers are fined if abandoned carts are found in public.
Even if you accidentally walk a cart off property, you could still face a civil fine depending on local laws.
So if you were thinking about taking a cart home to help with groceries—do not. The law may not be on your side.
Walmart has not officially commented on the white box devices yet, but the growing number of sightings suggests they are being quietly rolled out in stores across the country. So next time you grab a cart, take a look underneath—you will probably see one too.
