Walmart is open on New Year’s Day. If you need snacks for the game, storage bins for a closet reset, or cold meds after a long night, you can shop today. Hours are not one size fits all, though. Expect your local store to open, with some services running shorter days. Here is what shoppers need to know right now.
What’s open at Walmart today
Most Walmart Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets plan to operate on New Year’s Day. Many will follow near normal hours, but some locations will close earlier than usual. The biggest changes hit in-store services. Pharmacies, Vision Centers, Auto Care Centers, and photo counters often run reduced schedules today. Some may close for the holiday.
- Store sales floor, open in most locations with modified hours possible
- Pharmacy, reduced hours common, call ahead
- Vision and Auto Care, often limited or closed
- MoneyCenter and returns, frequently shortened hours
If you count on a specific counter, confirm before you go. Staff levels can shift on holidays, and departments sometimes close early when traffic slows.
Pharmacy hours today are not guaranteed. Call your store or check the app before you head out.
How to check your exact store hours in minutes
The fastest way to confirm today’s schedule is to check your store info directly. Do this before you drive.
- Open the Walmart app or go to the Store Finder on Walmart.com, enter your ZIP code.
- Tap your store, then look at Today’s Hours for the main store and each service.
- If hours look tight, call the store. Ask for Pharmacy, Vision, or Returns to confirm.
Same day pickup and delivery are active in many areas, but windows can fill up fast on a holiday. If you need groceries or party staples today, reserve an early slot. For urgent items like baby formula or fever reducers, in-store may be faster.
Add substitution preferences in your cart before you check out. It saves time if an item is out of stock.
The deals to grab right now
New Year’s Day is a quiet retail workhorse. The crowds are lighter than Black Friday, and the markdowns are real. Holiday clearance is the headline. Seasonal decor, wrap, string lights, party goods, and candy are usually marked down, often moving from 50 percent off and deeper as inventory thins. If you need extra totes or shelving for a fresh start, watch for storage sales in bins, cube organizers, and garment racks. Fitness sees a pop too. Expect deals on dumbbells, resistance bands, yoga mats, and water bottles. Small appliances get attention, including air fryers, blenders, and coffee makers. Winter essentials like space heaters, thermal socks, and electric blankets also see aggressive pricing in colder regions.
Today’s buys that punch above their price:
- Holiday clearance for next season, shop early for best sizes and colors
- Storage and cleaning gear, perfect for January reset
- Cold and flu care, stock up on value packs while they are in stock
- Small kitchen upgrades, aim for bundle value over single items
Use the Walmart app to scan shelf tags in store. You will see online pricing, nearby stock, and eligible pickup options in seconds.
Trend check from the aisle
Retail is doing a quick reset this week. Clearance is moving to free up space for fitness and pantry stock. Gift card redemptions are strong, so expect steady demand in electronics and gaming. Returns counters will be busy, especially mid day. Many stores route returns to one entrance, so watch signage and plan a backup aisle for your cart. If you are buying TV gear, keep your eye on late January. Televisions and soundbars usually sharpen for playoff season and Big Game promos. Today is better for accessories and smart home basics.
Smart game plan for pickup, delivery, and timing
If you want curbside, place orders early. Choose a morning or early afternoon window to avoid bottlenecks. Drivers and pickers may be running lean today. If your item is time sensitive, consider split orders, one quick pickup for essentials, one later delivery for pantry restocks. In store, shop the back of seasonal aisles for surprise markdowns. End caps flip fast on January 1, and newly ticketed deals arrive all day.
Returns are open in many locations, but hours can close earlier than the main store. If your return is bulky or you have multiple receipts, go early. Keep digital receipts handy in the app. That speeds up the line and reduces contact.
Have a gift card to spend today? Load it into your Walmart account before you shop. It works online, in app, and with self checkout.
Bottom line
Walmart is open on New Year’s Day, with most stores running near normal hours and many services on shorter schedules. Check your exact store before you go, then move fast on holiday clearance and January must haves. Shop early, keep plans flexible, and you will start the year stocked and saving. 🛒
