As a former Walmart employee, I’ve seen it all when it comes to customers’ behaviors around shopping carts (I’ve found carts wedged between cars or abandoned in another store’s parking lot, or left entirely trashed). What might seem like a small, harmless decision in the moment often creates extra work for employees and inconvenience for other shoppers.
That’s why what I’m about to share may be framed as shopping cart etiquette — but in a perfect world, they’re non-negotiables. Shopping cart etiquette isn’t complicated, but it does require a bit of awareness and consideration for the shared space we’re all using. With that in mind, here’s a collection of key things to keep in mind the next time you grab (or put away) a cart.
5 Dos and Don’ts of Walmart Cart Etiquette
Don’t get too far away from your cart.
We’ve all walked down an aisle and had to wind our way around the abandoned (or seemingly abandoned) cart of another shopper. It’s such a small thing, but it disrupts the flow for everyone else trying to shop. What makes it more puzzling is that carts are designed to be easy to maneuver, and they’re meant to stay with you as you move. Leaving one parked in the middle of an aisle not only blocks space, but also breaks the rhythm of shopping for others.
Don’t block the aisle.
This one is similar to the note above, but this time the person is there with their cart and isn’t aware of the fact that they’re blocking the aisle. As someone who shops at my hometown Walmart — and once got paid to keep things running smoothly there — I’ve seen this happen far too often. It’s never fun to ask someone to move out of the way or awkwardly move past them, so just be aware of your surroundings.
Pick the right cart size.
This one’s also a bit of a head-scratcher: when someone has the wrong-size cart for their shopping needs. Excluding the cases where there’s a shortage of options, choosing the right cart for your trip actually matters more than you think. Grabbing a full-size cart for a quick run of items can be inefficient and create unnecessary blockages in the aisles for everyone else.
Please, please put your cart back.
Some people might believe that leaving their cart willy-nilly in the parking lot means the employees who have to go return it get a chance to be outside for a breath of fresh air — but from experience, it can quickly turn into a constant, repetitive chore. Luckily the fix couldn’t be simpler: Take the extra few steps and return your cart to a designated area.
Stash, trash, and sanitize.
This one really comes down to a simple principle: Leave something in better shape than you found it. Sound familiar? Japan’s soccer fans embody this perfectly in their avid cleanups after every match. Be like them (and if you’re being extra thoughtful, you can sanitize the cart with a wipe for the next customer). This idea is not novel — but it’s one that often gets overlooked in the middle of a busy shopping trip. Loose items end up in the wrong aisles, trash gets tucked into carts or left behind on shelves, and the next person is left to deal with it. A few extra seconds goes a long way in keeping the store clean and functional.
What is the biggest cart offense you’ve seen? Tell us about it in the comments below.
