4 Major Walmart Changes Coming to Stores, and How They’ll Affect You
A new fast-food restaurant is coming to stores, and AI features are being expanded.
Several market research and consumer surveys this year have yielded negative performance reviews for Walmart. The big-box chain came in 81st place out of 100 on The Axios Harris Poll 100—the worst ranking among all grocery stores. Similarly, a report from Solitaired identified Walmart as one of the top grocers with the worst customer reviews and rankings. However, Walmart isn’t letting the noise interfere with its future plans. Read all about them here.
RELATED: Walmart Is Secretly Raising Prices More Than 50%, Employees Reveal: “EVERYTHING Went Up.”
1
Walmart is embracing AI.
In a recent press release, Walmart shared how the company is leaning into AI efforts through a “surgical” approach. The company found that agentic AI tools “work best when deployed for highly specific tasks, to produce outputs that can then be stitched together to orchestrate and solve complex workflows.” One example of this is Walmart’s GenAI-powered shopping assistant.
The digital tool was first unveiled in Oct. 2024 to help streamline the holiday shopping experience. It “enables customers to discover, evaluate and decide on the best product for their unique needs. Just like a real-life shopping assistant, the tool engages in natural, free-flowing conversations, ensuring customers feel confident in their purchases,” the company explained at the time.
2
Walmart’s newest digital innovation benefits Medicare Advantage customers.
Walmart launched a new online tool to help eligible customers “maximize their Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits” while shopping at Walmart.com and in the Walmart mobile app, according to a press release.
Now, Medicare Advantage shoppers will see a “benefits program eligible” badge on products that are included in their health insurance plan, ranging from food and wellness merchandise to over-the-counter (OTC) items. Online, customers can also use the filter to display only benefits-eligible items. Alternatively, scan items in-store via the Walmart app to check their eligibility.
Simultaneously, Walmart rolled out a new AI-powered platform called Everyday Health Signals that “analyzes [customers’] Walmart.com retail history to deliver practical tips, like nutrition analysis and shopping lists.”
“By allowing customers the opportunity to make more informed choices with Walmart Everyday Health Signals, we’re creating the opportunity for widespread health impact,” Pravene Nath, MD, group director, consumer health and data solutions at Walmart U.S., said in a statement “We’re innovating with tech-enabled health solutions that equip customers with a better understanding of how small decisions in the grocery aisle can help improve their overall health.”
RELATED: Costco Just Made a Major Change to Compete With Walmart and Amazon.
3
Walmart is updating 650 stores this year.
Walmart is redesigning 650 locations this year, with new layouts and products, as part of the company’s “Store of the Future” initiative. These stores are situated in Texas (67), California (57), North Carolina (41), Ohio (23), Florida (34), Georgia (20), New York (23), and New Jersey (four).
As Best Life previously reported, “Since COVID-19, Walmart has experienced a boom in online orders. To keep up with demand, the chain is expanding its pickup and delivery zones. Walmart’s pharmacies will also get a modern facelift. The redesign will include wider aisles (no more bumper carts!), new private screening rooms, and restructured checkout stations for added confidentiality.”
“Our stores often serve as the heartbeat of the communities we operate in, and these remodels are a testament to our dedication to enhancing that role,” said Annie Walker, Walmart’s East Business Unit senior vice president, in a statement per Lohud. “By investing in our stores and associates, we are not only improving the shopping experience but also reinforcing our commitment to being a vital part of the community’s fabric, helping to build a brighter future for all.”
4
Walmart partners with a major fast food chain to open in-store restaurants.
Calling all hot dog fans! Walmart is teaming up with Wienerschnitzel to bring shoppers an all-new food court experience. On May 28, Wienerschnitzel announced plans to open restaurants inside six Walmart locations, “fueling expansion into target markets through non-traditional avenues,” per a press release. The fast food chain currently operates 358 stores, a majority of which are scattered across California and Texas.
All six Walmart locations will offer Wienerschnitzel’s full menu, including the iconic Chili Dog, Corn Dog, and Bacon Ranch Chili Cheese Fries. These food courts are expected to open by fall 2025 and will be available to Walmart shoppers in:
- Alamogordo, NM
- Bakersfield, CA
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Reno, NV
- Tempe, AZ
- Puyallup, WA
“Wienerschnitzel has spent decades building a strong reputation, especially on the West Coast, and this expansion into Walmart stores signifies a new era of growth for the brand,” Shak Turner, director of franchise expansion, said in the release.
The chain’s director of franchise development, Ted Milburn, added: “These non-traditional formats allow us to modernize our footprint, bring our iconic flavors to new audiences, and reinforce the brand’s relevance in today’s evolving retail and dining landscape. Growing inside these Walmart locations significantly expands our reach and opens the door for franchisees to tap into high-traffic locations with built-in demand.”
