If you are an anxious shopper like me, here’s some advice: Refreshing Walmart’s online inventory every second will not help. The product will be made available when it is the right time, but it surely helps to know when does Walmart restock to save you the hassle of checking now and then. One friend to another, this is everything you need to know about Walmart’s restocking schedule, timings, and some helpful shopping tips (thank me later!)
Walmart restocks its store inventory overnight, generally around 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Although Walmart routinely restocks its online inventory, the most popular items might sell out rapidly. Other than that, Walmart restores its inventory at various times throughout the day, depending on the need and frequency of a particular item being sold. Always check Walmart’s app or website for the most recent details since the retailer does not have an established timeline for restocking.
When Does Walmart Restock Its Items In Stores?
The second and third shifts are when most restocking occurs since fewer shoppers are in the store then.
Fresh produce comprising meat, dairy products, and groceries, usually gets restocked every day between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The restocking schedule at Walmart depends on the store’s location and category of products.
All Walmart stores maintain a broad restocking schedule to ensure most essential groceries products are always available to customers.
However, the exact answer relies on many variables. Fresh produce and necessary items, including meat, eggs, and milk, are restocked daily because the emphasis is on preserving freshness and meeting the client’s expectations.
To keep up with the fast pace of modern consumer trends and satisfy customer demands, Walmart restocks gadgets and home appliances every 3 to 5 days.
When Does Walmart Restock Online?
When restocking online, Walmart prioritizes bestsellers over less prevalent ones but only operates on a set schedule. You should purchase a particular item you need right away.
This is because staff members may need to be fully informed about the dates of upcoming deliveries, which can be misleading sometimes.
A second option is to check the website for the item you want regularly so you can purchase it as soon as it is restocked. Alternatively, you may sign up for alerts when the item is available for sale.
Sometimes, out-of-stock products from the Walmart site might still be available in the local store. To find out if the items you’re seeking are available in-store, it is recommended to get in contact with their customer support team.
The site has more than 400 million visitors each month, which explains why many products sell out quickly, particularly during the holidays. An item may run out of stock when you add it to the cart and finalize the purchase.
Walmart’s online store has yet to offer an exact date for restocking. The process varies as per the demand for each product and typically happens more quickly for popular ones.
Multiple store locations and the broad range of products hinder Walmart from updating its online stock in real-time, but the company aims to do so as soon as possible. You can use the Brickseek inventory checker for the most recent information on Walmart’s stock.
What Time of the Day Does Walmart Restock Different Products?
Restocking usually place in Walmart stores overnight, particularly between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Walmart stores differ in restocking times, with more crowded locations having more regular restocking. Although Walmart does not follow a set pattern, customers can generally count on most products to be restocked within 3-5 days.
Groceries
Restocking mostly happens overnight between 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The store stays closed or has fewer customers at this time.
To keep up with the growing customer influx, Walmart restocks grocery shelves daily. Popular grocery products are replenished repeatedly throughout the day. Daily restocking timetables are set for foodstuffs, particularly perishable items like meat, fruits, and vegetables.
Food
Although the retailer follows no set timetable, it is usual for most places to do so between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Squishmallows
Squishmallows and other toys usually come in every day around 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are best sellers at Walmart and usually sell out quickly in-store and online. However, the restocking can take longer if there is a massive demand for Squishmallows on some particular.
Electronics
The electronics are restocked at least 3-4 times a week, specifically between 12 a.m. and 7 a.m. When an electronic item at Walmart stocks out, they usually replace their inventory immediately.
The unanticipated popularity of some items can influence the restocking of electronics, including most recent TV models, video games, FM radios, subwoofer boxes, Amazon Fire Stick, laptops, computers, camping projectors and Apple products like the iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch.
Bikes
Walmart routinely restocks bikes. However, some retailers have been facing shortages due to the pandemic’s effect on global manufacturing. It may take longer for a bike to become available if you need help finding one at your closest retail store.
You can sign up for an email notification to get updates on Walmart’s bike restocks. Just visit the product page, hit “Get In-Stock Alert,” and add your email address. You will then get notified as soon as Walmart restocks your chosen bike.
Toys
Walmart usually restores its toy supply between 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. However, considering the substantial daily customer traffic, more toys may be stocked between the second and third shifts, particularly the famous ones like Funko Pops.
Baby Formula
Walmart doesn’t adhere to an exact timeline to restock baby formula. However, the store usually replaces such items daily to meet client demand. Specific retailer locations may be unable to stock up timely due to global shortages.
If you’re looking for a specific infant formula brand, you’ll need to contact the local Walmart to find out when the next shipment will arrive. Moreover, if you are a mom-to-be, don’t forget to read our guide on Walmart baby registry offers.
Clothes
Walmart restores its clothing and footwear supply every day between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. However, the exact restocking schedule may differ from store to store depending on the foot traffic.
It would be best if you went to Walmart as soon as it opens for the best range of clothing products. This is because they regularly reload the shelves during late hours, ensuring shoppers are always offered an extensive range of apparel options when the store opens.
Pokemon Cards
Walmart commonly has a new inventory of the most famous Pokémon cards when it opens at 7 a.m.
So, it’s an excellent move to get up early to take benefit. Typically, Pokémon cards are expected to be restocked by Walmart when the store closes at night.
Sports Cards
Sports cards are regularly restocked at Walmart throughout the week, usually on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Walmart deliberately leaves a few cards on the rack for a more extended period to meet client demand, allowing customers to buy them before restocking occurs. Additionally, when the need for sports cards grows, Walmart adjusts its restocking timetable to accommodate these trendy items. The options available at Walmart include:
- Basketball cards
- Baseball cards
- Football cards
PS5
Walmart restocks its PS5 stock every two weeks, usually on Thursday afternoons.
Walmart sells the much sought-after PS5. You can use the Walmart app or log onto Walmart.com to activate in-stock alerts, especially for the PS5, to stay updated about restocks.
The Xbox Series S, Series X, and Nintendo systems are all under the same restocking schedule at Walmart.
Contacting Walmart customer service staff or employees to inquire about restocking details may not be helpful because they need specific information about when the PS5 or other consoles will be available.
Hot Wheels
Walmart restocks Hot Wheels toys every other day. However, The hot Wheels toys market can vary significantly based on the retailer and the period of the year, like during the Christmas season. Therefore, Walmart can opt to wait a couple of weeks until restocking.
In some circumstances, retailers can keep new shipments of Hot Wheels toys in the stockroom till their current stock is depleted. I suggest visiting a Walmart customer service center or a floor staff who can assist you in inspecting the stockroom for any recently acquired Hot Wheels toys.
Consoles
Walmart restocks its stock regularly, with restocks recurring every 5 to 15 minutes when the consoles are available.
Rollback Items
Rollback items are regularly restocked at Walmart as they are everyday retail products. They have a specific time frame in which they are available at lower prices. These items will go back to their regular pricing later on.
You must distinguish between rollback and clearance products at Walmart. Instead of clearance products, rollback merchandise is always on sale in-store and is not discounted to eliminate it from stock. However, they may become clearance products if rollback items don’t do well in sales.
Simply put, a rollback at Walmart is a short-term discount that can be noticed online or in-store. The cost of the product reverts to its previous value, which appears on the “Was/Now” label, after this rollback period, which typically lasts up to 90 days.
Does It Take Long For Walmart To Restock?
The time it takes to restock a product is usually between one to two days. Walmart needs to be consistent with the schedule for restocking its inventory.
Walmart has many distribution centers around the US, making it easier to restock inventory and ensure that most locations get supplies without significant delays.
You must visit the Walmart website beforehand to place an order to verify an item’s stock. As an alternative, you can get availability assurance by contacting the Walmart store nearest to you and speaking with a customer service representative.
What Happens If Walmart Runs Out of Stock?
The Walmart website displays an “out of stock” status for anything that is not available.
Even when the website says that a product is in stock, it might sell out before your purchase is completed. In such situations, the online shopping cart will notify you that your purchase has been canceled.
The company rapidly replenishes its website and in-store inventory to meet customer demands.
Can I Check Walmart’s Current In-Store Inventory?
- Enter the item you’re looking for in the search area on the Walmart homepage. Enter “Smart TV” into the search box bar and press the search sign, for instance, if you’re searching for a Smart TV.
- Filter the search findings by brand, cost, and screen size with the provided filters. This will allow you to narrow down on fewer options and determine if local stores have the items you want.
- You can also check Walmart’s online stock via the Brickseek app. The software uses stock-keeping units (SKUs) or unique product codes (UPCs) to check for online and in-store inventory availability. Also, it offers details on the range of products and their costs at specific Walmart locations.
- Before visiting your nearest Walmart store, you can also check the product availability with the following methods:
- Ask about the availability of the product that you’re keen on by contacting the local store and speaking with a representative from customer service.
- Visit the Walmart website or smartphone app to see if an item can be found at your closest Walmart.
- Explore other third-party inventory control tools like Slickdeals, PopFindr, and Restockbee. These apps can help you find products and compare expenses across multiple retailers.
Is The Product Inventory the Same On All Walmart Stores?
Walmart locations usually have the same inventory, while some provide more or less based on regional customer demands.
Walmart is not a franchise so it is likely that all stores follow the same rules and regulations. However, the surrounding areas around each store may influence their stock levels and type. For example, stores in colder areas usually have more winter apparel than other kinds of clothing.
Steps To Set Up Walmart Stock Alerts
You can choose to receive Walmart email alerts to get alerts on restocks. Log into your Walmart account, then use the search bar to select what you want. Click the “Get in-stock alert” option next to the item if it’s currently out of stock. If you give your email address, you will receive a notification once Walmart refills the product.
Please note that not all products are eligible for these in-stock alerts. The alert button will only be displayed next to items that meet the criteria. The following steps will tell you how to get set up for Walmart’s in-stock alerts:
- Go to the Walmart website and browse to select the product that appeals to you.
- Copy the product’s URL from the link in your browser’s address bar.
- Paste the product’s URL in the designated box via an inventory-tracking application like Restockbee or Slickdeals.
- Fill in the mobile number. Then you’ll get an SMS stock notification when the product is available from Walmart.
How Can I Request a Particular Product From Walmart?
Check the Store and Corporate Feedback page on the Walmart website for product requests for your local Walmart. For your ease, what follows is a short guide:
- Select the proper choice for your request from the list on the page, like Discontinued Item/Brand, Product Feedback, or Product Question.
- To continue, click “Next.” Fill out the form by including personal information and the product’s particulars.
- Wait for Walmart to get back to you once you submit the form; an email with their reply will be issued to you.
Tips! How To Make The Most of Shopping At Walmart
For a more pleasant experience, you need to consider shopping traffic when making a trip to Walmart. The best time for shopping at Walmart is between 7 a.m. -11 a.m. on weekdays, as that’s when the night shift workers have usually completed stocking the shelves. The checkout procedure will move faster as there are fewer buyers.
The ideal time to shop is between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on weekends because there is generally less traffic at these hours. On the other hand, staying away from shopping on weekends between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. or after lunch on weekdays is suggested since these times appear busier and might result in longer waits.
You should buy fresh produce between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekends. These time slots correspond with Walmart’s nighttime restocking strategy, ensuring greater availability of fresh food.
Also, avoid shopping on weekdays after midday to escape crowds. In addition, avoiding aisles where inventory workers are actively replenishing the shelves might help limit interruptions to your grocery shopping trip. While you are it, don’t forget to take advantage of Walmart price match offers to score discounts and lower prices on the items you need.
Key Takeaways
- Walmart restocks its inventory in its retail outlets overnight, generally around 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- The most popular products might sell out quickly despite Walmart updating its online stock repeatedly throughout the day.
- You can set up stock alerts to be informed when a product is back in stock or go to the store’s website or mobile app for the latest stock information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What day of the week does Walmart restock different products?
Restocking operations occur daily at most Walmart locations, generally between 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Walmart needs to stick to an established schedule for restocking its inventories. Instead, it prioritizes rapid restocking of goods according to parameters like demand and other factors.
When is the best time to shop at Walmart?
Plan your grocery shopping for the early hours on a weekday to skip the crowds, as there will be fewer people and shorter waits.
Does Walmart have a restocking fee?
When a customer returns a product to Walmart for a refund, usually, there is no restocking fee charged. The only thing they need to keep in mind for in-store returns is to bring the item to the customer help desk during Walmart return hours.
Can I call Walmart to inquire if a product is available?
Yes. You can visit the store’s website or give the store a call.
Is there an app that I can use to check product availability at Walmart?
You can use Slickdeals, Restockbee, PopFindr, Brickseek, and other independent inventory tracking systems.
Ali Anees is a professional brand marketer focused on enhancing customer experiences. His focus is on conducting all-rounded research on U.S. retailers and services to provide updated information for our consumers.
He has a background in strategizing and developing marketing tactics for large Consumer Packaged Goods organizations. His understanding of the industry is beneficial when it comes to finding detailed and accurate information for our consumers.