Walmart has introduced new shopping carts across its 4,600 stores, sparking a mix of praise and criticism from customers. The redesigned carts include features like cup holders, spaces for cell phones, and slots for grocery lists, which have been well-received. However, the increased height of the handlebars and child seats has left many shoppers, especially those of shorter stature, dissatisfied and frustrated.
Enhanced features meet accessibility issues
The new carts feature handlebars that are 3.5 inches higher, now standing at 43.3 inches, and a child seat raised nearly 8 inches higher than before. These changes have posed significant challenges for shorter shoppers, who now struggle to see over their children while pushing the carts, raising both safety and convenience concerns. As reported by the Daily Mail, this has led to widespread dissatisfaction among a segment of Walmart’s customer base.
Customer backlash on social media
Shoppers have taken to social media to voice their frustrations. “Dear Walmart, please explain to me how a person who’s 5 feet tall or under can push those new high carts you so stupidly acquired?” wrote one angry customer on Facebook.
Another added, “My arms and shoulders actually ached pushing that freak of a cart through the store!” These sentiments have even led some to boycott the retail giant, with one shopper declaring, “I stopped going to Walmart. I do not like the new carts. Making fun of short people.”
Walmart’s response and customer experience
Walmart has been rolling out the taller carts nationwide over the past year. A spokesperson for the company told Business Insider that the new design aims to enhance the overall shopping experience. Despite this, the reassurance has done little to address the practical difficulties faced by shorter customers.
According to trolleymfg.com, the average Walmart store has between 600 and 800 carts, while supercenters can have up to 2,000. The shopping cart, invented by Fred and Sylvan Goldman in 1937, revolutionized grocery shopping by allowing consumers to buy bulkier items and complete a full week’s worth of shopping in one trip. The introduction of the new carts marks a significant change in this nearly century-old consumer habit, yet highlights the importance of accessibility in retail design.
While Walmart’s intention behind the new carts was to improve the shopping experience, the increased height has inadvertently alienated a portion of its customer base. The company faces the challenge of addressing these concerns to ensure that all shoppers, regardless of height, can comfortably and safely use their carts.