Have you ever wondered what time the nearest grocery store closes? You are not the only one who feels this way. According to a new poll, more than half of Americans (53%) said they don’t always know if their local grocery shop is open or closed after business hours.
This is hugely frustrating when you’re hungry, and there’s nothing nearby for miles.
If you are a regular at Walmart, you’re probably wondering the same thing we are – Is Walmart open 24 hours? We did our research to save you the trouble of discovering that your local Walmart is closed after midnight after a long drive.
Is Walmart Open 24 Hours in 2023?
Walmart was open 24 hours a day before the COVID-19 pandemic, but it reduced its hours to aid in the containment of the virus. However, throughout the pandemic, the corporation gradually increased its hours.
Recently, Walmart announced that it would no longer require fully vaccinated individuals to wear masks but would maintain other virus safeguards. This move is one of the critical reasons the company decided they could adjust to longer hours again.
In June of 2021, Walmart moved to increase its retail hours by opening at 6 a.m., as the US reopened after more than a year under COVID-19 restrictions. Some, if not all, Walmart now open as early as 6 a.m. and close as late as 11 p.m.
Did The Pandemic Cause Cut Down Of Walmart’s Hours Of Operation?
The pandemic was not the main reason for reducing store hours. Walmart has already given up on being open 24 hours a day, seven days a week before the pandemic.
The most obvious explanation for this decision is that 24-hour stores aren’t worth the money or trouble. Few people are motivated to go to a physical store in the middle of the night in the age of e-commerce and 24/7 online shopping.
Walmart raised hourly salaries for 500,000 employees in the first few months of 2015. The world’s largest retailer has apparently decided that overnight staffing practically empty stores with cashiers and employees is not worth it.
It is not out of the question that the adjustments begin a broader trend. “I question if it is a test and could become a national rollout,” Edward D. Jones’ analyst Brian Yarbrough said in an interview with Bloomberg. “There aren’t that many shoppers there overnight. How many people are going to Wal-Mart at 2 in the morning?”
Will Walmart Revert Back To Their 24-Hour Operations?
Prepare to be disappointed if you were anticipating that Walmart would soon restore 24-hour service to specific locations.
While some consumers may prefer to shop during the new Walmart hours, not everyone has gotten used to the ease of 24-hour Walmart stores.
One Twitter user said on November 21, 2021 –
Walmart’s official Twitter account recently reacted to a user who inquired about when the store would reopen for 24 hours.
Is 24-hour Grocery Shopping a Thing of the Past?
Before COVID, hours remained consistently short, even on weekdays, weekends, and throughout peak holiday shopping seasons.
Most retailers shortened their operational hours to save money on running costs while maintaining income. In addition, shoppers are increasingly opting for online shopping to avoid crowds.
As a result, most stores have been able to close early without incurring consumer criticism. Because of the shortened hours, shop owners have managed with minimal labor shortages, more significant labor expenses, and other issues.
Given these facts, it is reasonable to conclude that shops and food stores will not increase their hours even until the situation is normal.
What Is Walmart Senior Hour?
To accommodate customers, numerous big-box retailers and supermarket stores changed their opening hours, cleaning methods, and delivery options at the onset of the coronavirus outbreak.
However, in response to the rising concerns about individuals most vulnerable to COVID-19, big retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Safeway have declared that they will set aside a particular hour for elders and vulnerable shoppers to get what they need at a leisurely pace while avoiding crowds.
Walmart’s response to this concern is the senior hour that will continue on Tuesdays from six to seven a.m. as a special shopping period for seniors 60 years old and above and those most vulnerable to COVID-19.
What Are The Things You Won’t See In Walmart Anymore?
It can be challenging to keep up with the rapid evolution of safety precautions. But, here are the things you won’t see in Walmart anymore.
Strict Health Regulations
With more available vaccinations and mask regulations being relaxed, it appears that the coronavirus tunnel is finally coming to an end. The pandemic brought so many changes in the last year that it might be challenging to keep up with the ever-changing policies.
While things are beginning to return to “normal,” certain safety precautions are still to be followed. Along with Costco, Aldi, and Target, Walmart is one of the many business giants making improvements to safeguard the safety of their staff and consumers as much as possible.
Make sure you are familiar with all of the rules and, most importantly, stay safe.
24-Hour Stores
There will be no more late-night visits to the store for some Advil or chips. To guarantee appropriate cleaning each night, all stores will close at 11 p.m. The store will be restocked and disinfected entirely overnight in preparation for when they unlock the doors at 6 a.m. the next day.
Register Without Sneeze Guards
Plexiglass walls will be installed in all establishments to prevent contact between customers and cashiers. These plastic barriers, which are already in place in select Walmart pharmacy lanes, will be implemented nationwide.
Dirty Shopping Carts
Walmart has committed to thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing shopping carts after each use, preventing the spread of illnesses.
Employees With Sniffles
Before starting work each day, all Walmart employees will have their temperatures taken. Employees having a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be sent home and will not be allowed to return to work for three days unless they have been fever-free.
Walmart’s emergency leave policy has also been extended until September 30, 2021.
Masks
Walmart said in May 2021 that customers and staff would not be required to wear masks if they were vaccinated correctly. Employees will be required to complete a health evaluation concerning their vaccination status, despite the move being based on the honor system.
As an appreciation for getting the vaccination, they will also receive a $75 bonus. Local masks mandates still exist in some areas, and Walmart will adhere to those regulations in such areas.
Limited Capacity
Previously, Walmart only authorized five consumers per 1,000 square feet. This means that stores were approximately 20% full at any given time. Because the mandate has been withdrawn, regular Walmart foot traffic should resume.
However, it’s crucial to note that Walmart adheres to any local capacity restrictions, which could change based on local regulations.
No-Return Policy
Walmart’s standard return policy has been reinstated. This means you can swap or return an item within 90 days of purchase if you are unhappy with it. The regulation does not apply to states that still have COVID-19 guidelines in place, so check your local policies for additional information.
No Vaccines
The COVID-19 vaccine is now accessible at Walmart pharmacies for both planned appointments and walk-ins as of May 2021. In 49 states, including Puerto Rico and Washington, DC, the vaccination is available at over 5,100 pharmacies.
Walmart is even partnering with school districts to provide coronavirus vaccinations to students at school. Then, during COVID-19, brush up on the regulations for shopping at popular businesses.
Are There Other 24-Hour Grocery Stores In The US?
Fortunately, the US has a plethora of 24-hour retailers. Among the grocery stores open 24 hours are Cub Foods, Giant Eagle, Harris Teeter, Hy-Vee, Kroger, Meijer, Safeway, Save A Lot, Shell Stop & Shop, Wegmans, and Winco. Other grocery stores, such as Albertsons, stay open late.
BP, CITGO, Conoco, Exxon Mobil, Family Express, Gulf Oil, Kwik Trip, Marathon Oil, and Speedway are among the gas stations, with most of their locations open 24 hours. The leading liquor retailers that have some sites available 24 hours are Jewel Osco and Woodman’s.
7-Eleven, Casey’s General Store, Circle K, Cumberland Farms, GetGo, Kum & Go, QuikTrip, and Royal Farms are among the top 24-hour convenience stores.
Conclusion
According to a spokeswoman for the business, the reduction in operating hours made at multiple Walmart stores wasn’t only due to the pandemic. The goal was to ensure associates worked when and where consumers needed them the most.
According to Walmart’s statistics at the time, most customers visited the retailer’s locations between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. rather than at night during a prolonged 24-hour operation.
“By shifting these hours, we’re able to make sure more associates are on the floor during peak customer times, resulting in better customer service.” Justin Rushing, Walmart Spokesperson