The Essential Guide to Becoming a Walmart Personal Shopper
As online grocery services boom, Walmart aims to dominate the market in 2024 and beyond with thousands of new personal shopper roles nationwide. But what exactly does the job entail day-to-day? Here‘s an in-depth look at duties, pay, requirements and the future outlook for Walmart‘s personal shoppers.
Surging Demand for Online Grocery Pickup & Delivery
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated adoption of online grocery shopping. A 2022 survey found that 56% of US households now regularly order groceries online for pickup or delivery, up from 36% in 2019.
Walmart has invested heavily in this channel, with online grocery sales rising 30% in 2021 alone. They now offer pickup from over 3,500 stores and delivery from nearly 2,000 stores nationwide.
To meet this surging digital demand, Walmart aims to double the number of locations offering Online Grocery Pickup and Delivery by the end of 2023.
| Year | Total Online Grocery Orders |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 522 million |
| 2020 | 730 million |
| 2021 | 950 million* |
**Projected based on 30% YoY online grocery sales growth stated by Walmart
The Critical Role of Personal Shoppers
Behind every online grocery order is an army of dedicated personal shoppers selecting, packing, and loading orders with care to guarantee freshness and accuracy.
As Walmart‘s e-commerce capabilities grow exponentially, they plan to hire over 20,000 more PS roles in stores across the country over the next year.
So what exactly does the job involve? Let‘s take a closer look.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
On any given shift, Walmart personal shoppers may:
- Pick customer orders directly from store shelves
- Inspect produce, meat, dairy for quality and expiration dates
- Weigh loose produce and package fragile items
- Scan each item and stage orders for pickup/delivery
- Load groceries into cars or vans for transport
- Assist customers curbside with substitutions, refunds etc
They must execute orders rapidly and flawlessly, while providing exceptional service.
PS metrics like order accuracy rates and prep/load times are strictly monitored using scanners and sensors. Consistently high performers are rewarded with more hours and responsibility.
Skills & Physical Demands
To succeed in this fast-paced retail role, key skills and attributes include:
Customer Service Aptitude: Chat with customers curbside and calmly resolve issues
Attention to Detail: Ensuring order accuracy down to the last item
Time Management: Shop for multiple orders simultaneously under tight time constraints
Physical Stamina: Lift, carry, pack hundreds of items per shift
Organization: Keep work area clean and orders staged systematically
Stress Resilience: Perform under pressure of perpetual pickup/delivery deadlines
Shoppers are also constantly moving – transporting orders can mean walking 5+ miles per day. Comfortable shoes are essential.
Compensation and Benefits
As more chains like Amazon and Kroger boost pay to attract talent, Walmart has followed suit with wage increases and more robust benefits for personal shoppers.
The compensation package includes:
Hourly Pay Rate: Average of $15/hour, up to $17/hour based on experience and market
Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical plans from $30/month
Retirement Savings: 401k plan with 6% matching contributions
Employee Perks: 10% store discount and free grocery pickup
Paid Time Off: Up to 48 hours per year initially; more with tenure
Full-time positions also qualify for tuition reimbursement, parental leave and career training programs.
Requirements and Qualifications
While not as stringent as some retailers, Walmart does have minimum hiring requirements for personal shopper candidates:
- 18+ years old
- High school diploma or GED
- Food/retail experience preferred
- Lifting up to 50 lbs and standing for long periods
- Pass background and drug screening
For example, HEB requires shoppers to have 2+ years of grocery experience, while Walmart offers entry-level opportunities.
Once hired, new personal shoppers must complete 2 weeks of paid training through virtual courses, hands-on learning and side-by-side shifts with veterans.
Growth Outlook for Walmart Personal Shoppers
As grocery pickup/delivery gains mainstream adoption over the coming years, demand for qualified personal shoppers will continue intensifying across the industry.
Walmart alone could hire tens of thousands more full and part-time shoppers by 2025 based on ecommerce expansion plans.
Meanwhile, the increased pay and advancement potential positions the role as a launching pad for long-term retail careers. High performers can progress into department, inventory or customer management positions.
So for flexible hours or a consistent full-time job, Walmart‘s booming Online Grocery business presents promising possibilities for personal shoppers now and into the future.
