I’m a busy mom who tries to stick to a grocery budget, but I’m also a food writer who loves cooking with quality ingredients. Years ago, Walmart wasn’t my go-to grocery shopping destination, but it’s safe to say the mega-chain has really upped its grocery game as of late. From surprisingly high-quality, affordable items made for its Great Value brand to fresh meat and produce, the offerings in Walmart’s grocery section have become my top pick for grocery shopping for my family of four.
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Walmart can draw in the crowds, however, so it’s important to have a good grasp on the best time to shop there. After all, there’s nothing more stressful than trying to look for the items on your grocery list while dodging other shoppers' carts and dealing with packed grocery aisles. To find out the top ways to have a stress-free and productive grocery shopping trip at Walmart, I chatted with experts who write about shopping, post about the best deals at Walmart on social media and shop at Walmart for their own families to get their best tips.
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My Favorite Time to Visit Walmart
Hitting Walmart on a weekend may seem like a bad idea, but the time I find the Walmarts near my Florida home least busy happens to be Sunday mornings when, I assume, a lot of people are in church or spending time with their families. In fact, I’ve been known to skip church myself to grab a Starbucks coffee and peruse the aisles of my Walmart’s grocery section at a leisurely pace. Since it’s such a low-stress time for me, I feel like I can search out new products to try out. It may be a bust, but it could be worth checking out your Walmart between 8 and 11 a.m. on a Sunday—you just may find it’s your own new favorite time to shop!
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If You Want to Avoid Crowds
Walmart can definitely be more crowded during times when the majority of people are not at work and have time to shop. “Walmart tends to be most crowded during weekends and evenings,” explains Bethany Hollars, content director and head of public relations for savings websiteBrickSeek. “Consider shopping during off-peak hours, like early on weekday mornings.”
But Trae Bodge, a shopping expert atTrueTrae.com, adds that shopping early—or late—on the weekend can save you from crowded aisles. “I try to avoid weekends,” she says. “But if that’s the only time I can shop, I go in the morning or evening or order online and pick up in-store to avoid crowds.”
If You Want the Best Selection
If You Want Time to Compare Prices
Hooper agrees, adding that Walmart “tends to get more crowded the closer to lunchtime it gets.”
If You Want the Freshest Food
Hollars says to shop early in the morning if you’re after the freshest perishable products, like produce and meat. “Walmart staff often restocks these items overnight,” she explains. “So you’ll have a better chance of finding the freshest selections shortly after the store opens.”
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If You Love a Good Markdown
“Many Walmart locations mark down grocery products like meat on Sunday evenings or Monday mornings,” she says. “Check with the department managers in the grocery section of your local Walmart to see what days your store marks down specific food items.”
If You’re Pressed for Time
As a Walmart shopper who’s subscribed to Walmart+ since the service was introduced in 2020, I find it invaluable for getting Walmart’s low grocery prices even when I don’t have time to shop in person. The subscription service, which costs $98 annually or $12.95 per month, offers benefits like free grocery delivery on orders over $35, fuel discounts and two- or three-day shipping on many items sold at Walmart.com.
And, Amanda Jerkins, one of the founders of theWhoa Wait Walmartblog, calls the service her “best tip for avoiding crowds” at Walmart. “I shop online and have Walmart deliver groceries to my door,” says Jerkins. “I’m a Walmart+ member, so delivery is free on orders over $35.”
If home delivery isn’t your thing, you can also shop for Walmart grocery products online or in the Walmart app and either pick them up in store or have them delivered right to your car. It’s another great option for saving time and avoiding crowds. However you place a Walmart order, the grocery prices online and in the app are the same as in-store prices, making it another solid option for getting Walmart savings without having to shop the actual store aisles.
Bottom Line
Depending on your reason for shopping at Walmart, there is a time that’s right for you. Plus it can be a one-stop shop for when you need more than just groceries. While you may need to visit your local Walmart at a few different times to get a feel for when it’s less crowded, well-stocked or has the types of deals you’re looking for, these tips should be a good starting point.
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