Walmart expands inclusive shopping with specialized shopping carts
Walmart is introducing shopping carts for customers of all ages who need additional support.
The retail giant is rolling out "Caroline’s Carts" into all of its stores in 11 states (see below for full list). The carts, which first launched in 2012, are designed to help caregivers of children and adults with disabilities navigate the store more easily. The carts have a seat with a capacity to hold 35 to 250 pounds.
Walmart plans to equip all Supercenters with two Caroline’s Carts and all Neighborhood Market locations with at least one, totaling about 8,000 carts nationwide. Distribution is ongoing, with all stores scheduled to be equipped with the carts by early 2025.
“Helping our customers save money and live better is more than our mission – it’s our driving force,” said Cedric Clark, executive VP of store operations at Walmart. “Equipping our stores with Caroline’s Carts provides some relief to parents and caregivers who need this tool and know it’s available at their Walmart. Whether they’re caring for someone with a disability or a temporary injury, the carts support our customers when and how they need it every time they come through our doors.”
Walmart is rolling out Caroline’s Carts to all stores in the following states:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Tennessee
- Texas
Last year, Walmart introduced sensory-friendly hours at its stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and later Canada. These hours, from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. daily, provide a calmer environment in all Walmart stores by turning off the radio, setting TV monitors to a still screen, and dimming the lights where possible. Originally designed to be in place during the back-to-school season, Walmart said the response was overwhelmingly positive, and led to these hours being extended year-round.
[READ MORE: Forrester: Amazon and Walmart to capture one-fourth of U.S. retail sales by 2029]
Based in Bentonville, Ark., Walmart serves approximately 255 million customers and members each week at more than 10,500 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries.
