Walmart Limits Bins on Order Fulfillment Carts to Six From Eight

Walmart has updated instructions for employees who fill online orders in its stores, limiting the number of bins allowed on fulfillment carts to six from a previous eight. The new rules, which took effect this week, also let workers decide whether to push or pull the carts based on what they determine is safest.

The company partially reversed a policy issued days earlier that had directed workers to pull the carts instead of pushing them. The update prioritizes visibility and safety over the volume of items that can be moved in one trip. Under the prior approach, some workers reported that pulling the carts caused them to bump into their heels.

The change comes as the retailer depends on more than 4,600 stores to handle the majority of its online orders, with some locations processing several hundred per day.

The latest memo reflects a quick adjustment after the earlier policy drew criticism on worker forums including Reddit and Facebook groups. In those discussions, employees described difficulty maneuvering the carts when pulling them. The company did not comment on the specific policy changes, citing a quiet period ahead of its quarterly earnings report.

A spokesperson said employee and customer safety remains a top priority. "We're constantly reinforcing policies and making adjustments where needed, to maintain a safe and enjoyable shopping experience," the spokesperson said. One such case from a 2020 incident resulted in a $1.2 million judgment in 2024.

The company is simultaneously expanding its e-commerce operations, which posted 27 percent sales growth in its most recent quarter. That marked the eighth consecutive quarter of growth above 20 percent. The retailer is also working to shorten delivery times, in some cases to 30 minutes or less.

Reducing bin capacity by 25 percent is expected to lower the number of orders that can be completed in a single pick run. Walmart has installed digital shelf labels in about half its stores to help employees locate items faster through flashing LEDs.