Walmart Denies Rumor of Store Closures on November 1

NEW YORK, NY — A recent rumor claiming that Walmart will close its doors to in-store shopping on November 1, 2025, has been debunked by the company. Social media posts sparked confusion among consumers, suggesting that the retail giant would allow only online orders for pickup in parking lots starting on this date.

Walmart spokesperson Joe Pennington clarified in a phone conversation with Snopes that the stores will remain open for business on November 1. This statement comes in response to growing concerns raised by customers via social media and emails.

One TikTok user, @uncutrealness, contributed to the rumor with a video that went viral on October 22, claiming, “Walmart said the doors will be locked. Ain’t nobody coming in the store but the employees.” This post alluded to potential unrest surrounding the availability of federal food benefits during a government shutdown.

Another user, @kavellkavon, shared similar sentiments on Instagram and TikTok, suggesting there were threats from individuals reliant on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if benefits were suspended. These videos collectively garnered over 1 million views, prompting questions about their authenticity.

Pennington emphasized that the rumors seem to have originated from a mix of social media speculation and misleading headlines from various articles. For example, The Sun inaccurately reported that Walmart would be closing stores for 48 hours but later clarified that this referred only to holiday closures.

As misinformation continues to circulate, Walmart is working to set the record straight, confirming that shoppers will not be restricted to online orders starting in November.