It’s a busy maze of aisles, carts, and checkout lines when it comes to shopping at Walmart. Know when to plan your shopping for a quieter store, fuller shelves, and even better deals. According to home-service expert Tommy Mello and consumer savings specialist Melissa Cid, calming the midweek mornings and some other arcane types of windows can convert your Walmart run from frenzy to convenience.
Why timing is everything
The enormous size of Walmart and more than 7,000 locations in the U.S. means crowd and freshness levels vary dramatically regarding the day and time. When you shop during peak hours, which typically include weekends or early evenings, you are looking at checkout delays, empty fresh-food displays, and late restocking. An off-peak visit rewards you with:
- Fewer people in line; hence faster checkout
- Better stocking of perishables like produce or meat
- Faster access to weekly rollbacks and markdown prices
Strategic time planning to conduct your Walmart run is not luck but rather coordinated yet predictable rhythms of the store.
Best days: Tuesday/Wednesday
The experts agree: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, especially in the mornings, are Walmart’s prime shopping days. “Weekday mornings for sure, particularly mid-week like on Wednesday, are best days to shop at Walmart,” shares Cid. “You will find a less crowded store, stocked shelves, fresh produce and meats. By mid-week, stores are all caught up on restocking from the weekend crowds”.
Tommy Mello notes that typically great deals are rolled out early in the week. “Generally, weekdays—particularly Tuesday and Wednesday—are the best days to shop at Walmart,” he adds. “Stores are less crowded on these days, allowing for a more enjoyable and expedient shopping experience. You are also able to shop the best deals during those days”.
Apart from the price tag, weekend shopping comes at a premium. “Saturday and Sunday is the worst day to shop at Walmart,” Cid warns. “On the weekends, you’ll be battling a busy store, long lines, and possibly empty shelves and slim pickings on fresh foods”. Mello agrees: “Many individuals do their weekly shopping on these days, resulting in greater crowds and longer checkout queues. By avoiding these peak hours, you can make your visit more enjoyable”.
Month-start advantage: First five days savings
The calendar date also determines markdown prospects beyond timing on the day of the week. Athina Zisi, COO of Energy Casino, points out that clearance deals and discounts appear typically during the first week of every month. “That’s when you can find newly discounted items and clearance deals right at the beginning of the month,” she says. For her part, Landau of TopCashback.com suggests shopping within the first five days of each month to nab markdowns left over after considerable stock has been sold during the previous month.
Unlock further perks with Walmart+
Frequent Walmart shoppers will find great savings and convenience with Walmart+ membership. Members enjoy free same-day grocery delivery, free shipping without a minimum purchase, and discounts on fuel. “Thanks to Walmart+, I have picked up clearance items on their website for as little as $0.50 shipped; you can order same-day grocery delivery for free-the only thing you need to do is tip the driver,” reports Cid.
Cash back and price matching
Walmart provides up to 5% cash back on selected purchases via manufacturer offers in its app/website. “Clip the manufacturer to add it to your Walmart account. When you buy online or in-store, you’ll score Walmart cash that you can use for a future purchase or cash out once you hit $25,” says Cid.
Price matching can also prove very helpful. Walmart will match identical items that are priced lower at competitor stores nearby, making sure you get the lowest possible price. “Scan your receipts with the Walmart Savings Catcher app. If a competitor offers a cheaper price, the difference will be credited to your Walmart eGift Card,” adds Mello.
Real 24/7 Walmart stores are a rare breed, but many remain open late into the night. The late-night discounting of bakers, produce, and meats happens on the weekdays as employees markdown the items expiring the next day. “During the week, evening markdowns take place for the following day, at a savings of between 30 and 50 percent off on foods that are expiring the next day,” explains Cid.
Putting it all together
To shop smarter at Walmart, time your grocery outing for midweek mornings and the first week of the month. Some combination of these optimal days, Walmart+ perks, cash-back offers, and price-matching will get your benefits and conveniences maximized. Stay away from weekends and rush hours, and explore late-night markdown hunts for clearance finds. By tailoring your schedule to Walmart’s restocking and pricing cycle, you will easily get through checkouts and score fresher inventory and some money remaining in your pocket.
