When you walk into any Walmart superstore, you‘re entering a retail wonderland brimming with over 120,000 different products covering everything from bananas to TVs. Walmart‘s massive size and scope means it offers unparalleled insight into exactly what items Americans purchase in bulk. Which everyday staples, handy gadgets, and household necessities are customers stocking up on across Walmart‘s 11,500 worldwide locations? Read on for a fascinating rundown of 11+ must-have products that shoppers can‘t stop buying at Walmart!
Bananas – The Top Seller by Far
Yes, it‘s no secret but true – bananas are far and away the single top-selling item at Walmart year after year. In 2019 alone, Walmart sold over 1 billion pounds of bananas. That‘s around 4 million individual bananas sold every day on average!
So why have bananas become such a staple purchase? For one, they are an affordable, healthy fruit option perfect for families. At around $0.58/lb, bananas provide a tasty and nutritious snack on a budget. They also last longer than most fresh produce, giving customers more time to enjoy them. Bananas are easy to grab and eat on-the-go, a convenience that appeals to our busy lifestyles.
Perhaps most impactful is their strategic placement – bunches of bright yellow bananas are prominently displayed right at checkout lines. This primes shoppers to make impulse buys and toss a healthy snack into their carts last-minute. It‘s an ingenious merchandising tactic that Walmart has leveraged to drive banana sales sky-high. So next time you‘re in the checkout line, look around – you‘ll probably spot dozens of customers giving in to the banana temptation!
Toilet Paper – A Pandemic-Fueled Top Seller
Toilet paper shortages became infamously emblematic of consumer panic buying during the COVID-19 pandemic. But even before 2020, toilet paper consistently ranked among Walmart‘s most sought-after products due to its household essential nature.
When coronavirus concerns sparked customers to stockpile emergency supplies, Walmart‘s toilet paper sales went into overdrive. At one point during the pandemic panic, Walmart was selling enough toilet paper every 5 days to provide a roll for every single person in America! That‘s over 330 million rolls sold per week.
Brands like Charmin Ultra Soft, Scott, and Angel Soft fly off Walmart‘s shelves by the pallet load. Toilet paper takes up entire aisles in stores – as much as 33 linear feet of retail space fully stocked with nothing but TP options. From single rolls to jumbo packs, customers know Walmart is the go-to for stocking up on this bathroom necessity.
Manufacturers have responded by shifting production to 24/7 schedules to meet consumer demand. As long as bathrooms are in use, toilet paper will continue to be one of Walmart‘s hottest sellers.
Slow Cookers – Deliciously Convenient Kitchen Staples
Walmart customers clearly love the convenience and ease of using slow cookers to whip up delicious roasts, stews, soups, and more. Branded models from trusted names like Instant Pot, CrockPot, and Hamilton Beach are hugely popular.
In particular, the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 multi-cooker is a top-rated item customers flock to Walmart for. This versatile pressure cooker retails between $79-99 and promises to replace 7 appliances – pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, saute pan, yogurt maker, and warmer. With rave reviews and clever marketing as a space-saving wonder device, it‘s no wonder anxious cooks feel compelled to grab an Instant Pot.
Around the holidays, slow cookers sell especially briskly as customers look for easy ways to prepare cozy roasts and delectable appetizers for family gatherings. Walmart‘s wide selection and prices under $100 for many models make slow cookers an appealing staple kitchen item for shoppers.
Smart TVs – Upgrading Entertainment with Savings
In the age of Netflix and streaming, customers are eager to upgrade to smart TVs that make binge-watching a breeze. This has fueled massive demand for affordable smart TV models at Walmart. Top picks include the Vizio D-Series 4K Ultra HD offering an expansive 65" screen equipped with smart capabilities for under $500.
Compared to other big-box retailers, Walmart dominates on everyday low prices for brand-name TVs. Models regularly sell for $100-200 less than competitors – a compelling reason for customers to head straight to Walmart for their TV purchases.
The included 2-year replacement plan provides peace of mind and enhanced value. Walmart makes it easy to protect your investment; with a simple warranty exchange, you can have a replacement TV shipped for free if anything goes wrong.
From budget 720p TVs under $200 to massive 75" 4K Ultra HDs with quantum dot technology selling for $1,000+, Walmart has the selection to upgrade entertainment spaces small and large. It‘s no wonder eager customers flock here to fulfill all their binge-watching dreams on a smart TV budget.
Google Chromecasts – Affordable Streaming Sticks
As more households shift away from cable to streaming-only setups, finding an affordable and easy way to stream shows and movies to any TV is a must. That helps explain why Google‘s Chromecast streaming sticks have become a top-selling electronic essential at Walmart.
Starting at just $29 for the Chromecast HD model, these handy plug-in devices allow customers to instantly make any TV with an HDMI port into a smart TV. The compact Chromecast physically plugs into the TV while connecting wirelessly to smartphones, laptops, and tablets to stream movies, shows, YouTube videos, apps, and more.
Unlike Amazon‘s Fire Stick, the Chromecast works across iOS and Android devices, appealing to a wider range of shoppers. Convenience combined with wallet-friendly pricing make the Chromecast an easy add-on purchase for the millions of Walmart customers looking to upgrade their entertainment options.
Baby Supplies – Diapers, Wipes, and Formula Dominate Shopping Carts
It will come as no surprise to any parent that baby care essentials like diapers, wipes, and formula are prized purchases at Walmart. New parents and caregivers rely on stocking up on these necessities regularly to take care of their little ones.
Walmart uses its negotiating power to offer rock-bottom prices on all major baby brands. Pampers Swaddlers diapers, a top choice for comfort and leak protection, sell for just $0.26 per diaper at Walmart – far below the $0.36 average elsewhere. Little Snugglers wipes fly off the shelves by the caseload as parents fill carts for the frequent diaper changes ahead.
Enfamil formula is a consistent best-seller, as new moms turn to the brand recommended by most hospitals and pediatricians. Walmart makes stocking up on this expensive essential more affordable, with prices below wholesale clubs. From soothing baby lotions to teething gels, Walmart is the #1 stop for new parents loading up on what their babies need most.
Vitamins – Wellness Starts Here
Walmart‘s pharmacy and wellness section provides millions of customers with affordable access to essential over-the-counter medications, supplements, and vitamins. Top selling vitamins include 1 a Day Women‘s and Men‘s multivitamins, Vitamin D3 for immune support, Vitamin C for colds and flu, and melatonin for sleep regulation.
Walmart‘s own Equate brand vitamins are also hugely popular for their low cost. A 100-count bottle of Equate High Potency Melatonin provides a 2-month supply for less than $5. Compared to name brands, Walmart‘s private label vitamins typically offer similar quality and ingredients for over 50% savings.
For health-focused shoppers, this is an easy way to incorporate wellness supplements into their routines on a budget. Walmart‘s impressive vitamin selection and rock-bottom pricing keep customers coming back.
Pantry Staples – Great Value, Great Prices
No Walmart trip is complete without stocking up on kitchen, baking, and pantry staples used for everyday cooking. Walmart‘s Great Value brand dominates this category, offering customers tremendous savings. Great Value flour, sugar, cooking oil, coffee, paper goods, cleaning supplies, and more provide quality and convenience at unbeatable prices.
For example, a 10-lb bag of Great Value All Purpose Flour retails for just $2.98 compared to $3.69 for the leading name brand elsewhere. With prices up to 25% less than other private labels, it‘s easy to see why customers eagerly fill whole carts full of Great Value essentials on each visit. By leveraging economies of scale, Walmart delivers incredible value on the everyday items busy families need most.
Toys – All the Top Brands for Less
From Legos to Nerf guns to board games, Walmart is the #1 destination for affordable playtime. By negotiating unmatched bulk pricing with leading toy makers like Mattel and Hasbro, Walmart passes substantial savings down to customers. A 283-piece Lego City Fire Station retails for $40 here versus $60 at other major retailers – that‘s a 33% discount!
Action figures, educational STEM toys, stuffed animals, bikes, and games of all varieties fill Walmart‘s extensive toy department. Being able to snag top toy brands for 10-25% less makes Walmart irresistible for families shopping for birthdays and holidays. For kids, a trip to browse the toy aisles is a magical adventure. Parents appreciate the unbeatable value helping stretch gift budgets further at Walmart.
The impressive selection of toy offerings speaks to Walmart‘s commitment to meet all of a family‘s needs under one roof. Customers with kids know they can check off their whole shopping list and still have money left over for some fun surprises from the toy aisles!
A Look at What‘s in Our Shopping Carts
By looking at the top-selling items shoppers opt for at Walmart every day and across the year, we gain fascinating insight into America‘s buying habits and household needs. The retailer‘s rock-bottom prices make staples like bananas, toilet paper, slow cookers, TVs, and baby supplies irresistible. At the same time, modern conveniences like streaming sticks and kitchen appliances that simplify cooking have become essential purchases in many homes.
Several key factors drive these top Walmart purchases:
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Convenience – Easy-to-eat fruits like bananas, appliances that allow one-pot cooking, and entertainment devices that streamline access to movies and shows all provide convenience that today‘s busy households covet.
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Family Appeal – Many best-sellers like slow cookers, toys, wipes, and Legos cater directly to family households, Walmart‘s core demographic.
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Budget Prices – Walmart‘s reputation for savings across groceries, household goods, electronics, toys, and more compel budget-focused shoppers.
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Impulse Buys – Strategic merchandising like banana displays at checkout take advantage of unplanned purchases.
Given its cross-section of affordable products for all demographics, it‘s easy to see why customers make frequent Walmart runs part of their routine. We‘re all likely guilty of tossing some extra bananas or Great Value flour into our carts! When you can save money and quickly grab the essentials your household needs most, the convenience and value combination turns even quick grocery runs into a mini spending spree.
So next time you‘re browsing the aisles and stocking up on your own must-have items, think about the broader consumer trends at play. We each contribute to turning these everyday purchases into the chart-topping products that define Walmart‘s successyear after year. Happy shopping!
