Walmart takes harsh stance on popular service shoppers begged for

If you’ve visited one of your favorite stores lately, chances are you’ve noticed a few changes compared to a few years ago.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many retailers to make some adjustments to how they formerly operated. Some were major overhauls, while others were slight tweaks that the average shopper might not even notice. 

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The changes start at the parking lots, particularly for big box stores. At your local Target  (TGT)  or grocery outlet for example, there may be designated parking slots for customers who opt for the drive up option. Many stores now prioritize customers who already paid for their items and would prefer to drive up and expedite their shopping process. Some even offer services to load your car for you, if that’s your thing. 

Upon entering, you may notice bulked up security service at some stores: COVID-19 brought on an uptick in retail theft, particularly inventory shrink (or the industry term for a loss of goods due to theft or other unpaid losses). While some stores opt for more passive security measures, such as anti theft technology at entry and exit points, others have actually hired security guards to make sure everything is running smoothly. 

Walmart has employees stationed at entrances and exits to help prevent theft. 

Image source: Walmart

Retail has changed over the last few years

Once you’re truly inside a store, the changes continue. 

Some retailers have opted to lock up much of their inventory, thanks to the rise of theft. Drugstores and other high-foot-traffic stores have put many seemingly mundane items under lock and key, such as paper products and toothpaste. 

Other stores require a receipt check to leave the store, so they can verify that customers have actually purchased what they’re leaving with. 

And while most stores have fewer human cashiers these days, it’s not uncommon to find beefed up security measures at a self-checkout, like security cameras or other anti-theft technology.

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It may feel a little dystopian, but retailers have quickly adjusted to the new landscape of a post-pandemic world where shopping has changed drastically, for better or worse.

Walmart holds firm on another change

But Walmart  (WMT)  is holding firm on at least one change. 

Many retailers in recent years have chosen to adopt and accept Apple  (AAPL)  Pay, a quick and convenient newer way to pay for goods. To use it, customers only need their credit card linked to their iPhone, and they can simply tap their phone to a payment kiosk without ever needing to get their wallet out. 

It can be a little pricey up front to accept Apple Pay. Retailers must install contactless payment kiosks, and if customers aren’t using a chip in their credit cards, pay disputes may be more common. But gradually, most major retailers have begun to accept Apple Pay over the last several years. The only major holdout today is Walmart. 

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And the retailer reaffirmed its position against Apple Pay in January, stating they have more convenient options. 

“We do not accept NFC and instead have implemented convenient solutions, such as Walmart Pay, that provide our customers easy, contactless payments on any smartphone,” Walmart said in a statement. 

“We have also invested in innovative technologies that go beyond payments, such as Scan & Go, which allow Sam’s Club and Walmart+ members to bypass the checkout altogether, providing a truly touchless shopping experience.”

It’s true that Walmart does offer Walmart Pay, a similar payment option established in 2016 that allows customers to scan a QR code at checkout. But it’s likely not as popular as Apple Pay, and some customers have expressed frustration with Walmart for rejecting Apple Pay.

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