By J.R. TIDWELL / Editor

Different Walmart stores in central Alabama have been adding a pickup option for customers, and now that service is coming to the Clanton location.

Commerce manager Thomas Burton said the Clanton Walmart will begin offering pickup on May 8.

“Customers nowadays are always busy,” he said. “We have active customers. Providing this service in our area is pretty big.”

Burton said that the pickup option was designed with people in mind who do not have a lot of time to spend on grocery shopping themselves.

The option may also benefit people in other situations, such as parents of young children, the elderly or those with certain disabilities.

Using the pickup option starts with downloading the Walmart grocery app, which may be found at Walmart.com/grocery.

“You select the items that you want,” Burton said. “Once you checkout, we have our personal shoppers in the store shop for you. We even load it up in your car.”

Orders have to be for $35 or more and paid for online with debit or credit cards.

There is no additional cost to use the pickup option.

“Pickup will run 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day,” Burton said. “You have to reserve your time slot, but you get to select which time you would like. We have the best, professional shoppers that shop the items for you.”

When it comes time to pick up ordered items, customers go to the side of the store that is painted orange with the “Pickup” sign. Parking spots will be labeled for customers using the service.

If any of the items that have been selected are not in stock, the Walmart personal shoppers will make a substitution.

“We substitute the item for the best brand,” Burton said. “We make sure you still have the same size and quality that you ordered. If we don’t have it in stock, we will plus that order up to a better brand.”

According to representatives of the Clanton Walmart, 12-20 jobs were created when the service was added.