As one of the world‘s largest retailers, Walmart is quickly becoming an ecommerce powerhouse. In 2021, Walmart‘s online sales grew a staggering 79% to reach $64 billion, fueled by pandemic buying trends and investments in the company‘s fulfillment network. To keep up with this explosive demand, Walmart is increasingly relying on pickers, the workers responsible for preparing online orders for shipment. If you‘ve ever wondered how your Walmart.com purchases end up on your doorstep, pickers are a critical part of the process.
In this deep dive, we‘ll explore what it‘s really like to work as a Walmart picker and why these roles are so essential to the company‘s ecommerce success. As both a professional consumer and retail expert, I‘ll share insights on the picking process, job requirements, and future outlook for these positions. Whether you‘re considering a job as a Walmart picker or simply curious about the inner workings of ecommerce, this guide will give you an inside look at a day in the life of a picker.
The Rise of Walmart Ecommerce and Fulfillment Centers
To understand the growing importance of Walmart pickers, it‘s helpful to look at the company‘s recent ecommerce performance. In the past few years, Walmart has made aggressive moves to challenge Amazon‘s dominance in online retail. This has included acquiring ecommerce brands like Jet.com and Bonobos, expanding online grocery services, and offering free 2-day shipping on millions of items. As a result, Walmart‘s online sales have soared, with ecommerce now accounting for over 12% of the company‘s total revenue.
To support this digital growth, Walmart has invested heavily in its logistics network, particularly in fulfillment centers dedicated to online orders. The company currently operates over 150 distribution centers across the U.S., including 22 ecommerce-specific facilities. In 2020 alone, Walmart opened 7 new fulfillment centers and hired over 400,000 associates to keep up with pandemic-driven demand. According to a company press release, a new Walmart fulfillment center can generate 500 full-time picking and packing jobs with competitive wages and benefits.
These fulfillment centers are strategically located around the country to enable fast, low-cost shipping to Walmart‘s customer base. Inside, they are optimized for the unique demands of online orders with miles of conveyor belts, robotics, and advanced software systems. "Our fulfillment centers are at the core of delivering items quickly and efficiently to customers‘ front doors," said Steve Miller, Walmart‘s vice president of supply chain operations, in a 2020 interview with Retail Dive. "We‘ve built a network that can get nearly anything to customers in two days or fewer."
That speed wouldn‘t be possible without pickers, the associates who gather each individual product for customer orders. A Walmart executive noted in an NBC News interview that human pickers handle the majority of each order, assisted by robots that retrieve pallets of goods. The result is a fast and accurate fulfillment process that can get orders picked, packed, and shipped within 24 hours. As Walmart‘s online order volume has increased, so has its need for skilled and efficient pickers.
What Does a Walmart Picker Do?
A Walmart picker‘s primary job is to retrieve the items in each customer‘s online order from the shelves, bins, and pallets of a fulfillment center. Using a handheld scanner and cart, pickers locate the specific products, scan them to ensure accuracy, and bring them to the packing area to be boxed up for shipment. The process is fast-paced and highly structured to meet Walmart‘s efficiency and accuracy targets.
Here‘s a typical sequence of tasks for a Walmart picker:
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Receive a pick list: Pickers start each shift by logging into the picking software system, which generates a list of orders and items to retrieve. The system breaks orders down to the individual unit and optimizes the picking route for speed.
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Locate items: Following the pick list, pickers travel through the fulfillment center to the designated locations for each product. This may involve walking store-like aisles with shelves or using a cart and ladder to access goods stored higher up. Some centers use robots to bring products to stationary pickers at pick stations.
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Scan products: Once an item is located, the picker scans its barcode to ensure it matches the order. If there are any discrepancies or missing items, the picker communicates with a supervisor to troubleshoot.
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Inspect condition: Before placing a product in their cart or tote, pickers give it a quick visual inspection to check for any obvious damage or defects. Any unacceptable items are set aside for removal from inventory.
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Bring completed orders to packing: After gathering all items for an order, the picker brings the full cart or tote to the packing station. There, packers take over to box up orders and prepare them for shipping.
Throughout the picking process, speed and accuracy are critical. Walmart has strict performance metrics for its pickers to maintain a high level of productivity and customer satisfaction. According to employee reports on Indeed and Glassdoor, Walmart pickers are expected to retrieve 80-120 items per hour while maintaining at least 98% order accuracy. Supervisors use the picking software to track each employee‘s rate in real time and address any issues.
To succeed in this fast-paced environment, pickers need to be detail-oriented, efficient, and able to work well under pressure. Many job listings for Walmart picking positions emphasize the ability to stand and walk for full shifts, lift up to 50 pounds, and adapt to changing priorities. Pickers also need to be comfortable with technology, as scanners and voice-directed picking systems are common.
While the bulk of a picker‘s shift is spent working independently to retrieve orders, teamwork and communication are also important. Pickers need to work closely with their fellow associates to troubleshoot any issues with missing inventory, coordinate breaks, and maintain safety protocols. Some centers use headsets or walkie-talkies to help pickers stay in touch throughout their shift.
Physical and Mental Demands of Picking
The Walmart picking role is a physically active job that can take a toll on workers‘ bodies over time. According to a report from the National Employment Law Project, warehouse workers have a higher rate of serious injuries than other industries due to the repetitive and strenuous nature of the work. Picking involves constant walking, reaching, and lifting that can strain muscles and joints, particularly in the back, shoulders, and knees.
In a busy Walmart fulfillment center, pickers may walk over 10 miles per shift, often on concrete floors. A journalist who went undercover as an Amazon picker described the work as "a cross between a StairMaster and a treadmill on steroids," carrying heavy totes all day long. Walmart employees report similar physical demands, with shifts that can run 10-12 hours during peak seasons. The fast pace needed to hit picking quotas can make it difficult to take breaks or pace oneself.
Beyond the physical strain, picking can also be mentally fatiguing. The repetitive nature of the work and pressure to maintain a high pick rate can lead to stress and burnout. Studies have found that the mental demands of ecommerce picking, such as the need for constant focus and quick decision-making, can be just as taxing as the physical labor. "You have to be fast and you have to be accurate. That puts a lot of pressure on you mentally," said a former Amazon picker interviewed by The Atlantic.
To help address these challenges, Walmart has invested in ergonomic equipment and robotics to reduce the physical strain on workers. Some newer fulfillment centers feature robotic picking systems that retrieve items and bring them to stations for employees to sort and pack. This can reduce the amount of walking and lifting required. However, the introduction of automation can also create new stressors, such as the need to keep up with the pace of the machines.
Walmart also offers safety training and protocols to prevent injuries on the job. Pickers are taught proper lifting techniques and encouraged to take breaks as needed. However, some workers report feeling pressure to skip breaks in order to hit their productivity targets. Striking the right balance between efficiency and worker well-being is an ongoing challenge in the industry.
Career Prospects and Advice for Walmart Pickers
For many people, a picking job at Walmart can be a good entry point into the growing world of ecommerce and logistics. The role typically does not require any specialized education or experience, and Walmart offers on-the-job training to help new hires get up to speed. With competitive pay and benefits, Walmart picking can be a stable career choice for those without a college degree.
According to Glassdoor salary data, the average wage for a Walmart fulfillment center associate is $16 per hour, with a range of $12 to $21 depending on location and experience. Full-time pickers also have access to Walmart‘s benefits package, which includes health insurance, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and employee discounts. Walmart also offers educational assistance programs to help associates pursue degrees or certifications related to their work.
One advantage of working for a large employer like Walmart is the potential for career advancement. Many picking associates go on to become supervisors, quality assurance specialists, or operations managers within the fulfillment center. Walmart encourages internal promotion and offers leadership training programs to help employees move up the ranks. In a 2019 press release, Walmart noted that over 75% of its supply chain managers started in frontline roles like picking or packing.
However, the pathway to advancement is not always clear or consistent. Some Walmart pickers report limited opportunities for growth, particularly in centers with high turnover. The physical demands of the job can also make it difficult to sustain long-term. In online forums, some former pickers advise job seekers to view the role as a stepping stone rather than a lifelong career.
To succeed as a Walmart picker, current and former employees recommend the following tips:
- Prioritize safety: Follow all ergonomic and safety protocols to prevent injuries, even if it means slightly slower picking. Protecting your health should be the top priority.
- Communicate with supervisors: If you encounter any issues with equipment, inventory, or meeting quotas, raise them with your supervisor right away. They may be able to offer guidance or accommodations.
- Be proactive: If you finish your assigned picking early, look for other ways to help out, such as stocking or quality control. Showing initiative can lead to positive performance reviews and growth opportunities.
- Build relationships: While picking can feel solitary, building rapport with your fellow associates can make the job more enjoyable. Look for opportunities to connect during breaks or team meetings.
- Have a long-term plan: Consider what skills and experiences you want to gain from your picking job and how they can apply to your future career goals. This can help you stay motivated and focused.
Picking at Walmart can be a challenging but rewarding entry-level role for those interested in ecommerce logistics. By understanding the demands of the job and taking steps to prioritize safety and growth, pickers can set themselves up for success in this fast-growing industry.
The Bottom Line
As Walmart continues to expand its ecommerce business, pickers will play an increasingly critical role in getting orders to customers‘ doorsteps. These frontline workers are the backbone of the company‘s fulfillment network, ensuring that millions of products get accurately picked, packed, and shipped each day. While the job can be physically and mentally demanding, it offers competitive pay, benefits, and opportunities for advancement within a rapidly growing industry.
For job seekers considering a role as a Walmart picker, it‘s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully. The fast pace, strict quotas, and physical strain may not be suitable for everyone. However, for those with the right mindset and work ethic, picking can be a stable career with room for growth. As retail continues to shift online, demand for skilled fulfillment center workers will likely only increase in the years ahead.
Walmart‘s picking operations offer a glimpse into the complex and fast-paced world of ecommerce logistics. By understanding the challenges and opportunities of these roles, both workers and consumers can gain a greater appreciation for the human labor that powers our online orders. With the right strategies and support, Walmart‘s pickers will continue to play a vital role in the company‘s ecommerce success for years to come.
