Hot Wheels have long been a hot topic, but they have become more popular than ever. Many Hot Wheel enthusiasts have found that purchasing a Hot Wheels toy is nearly as difficult as purchasing an actual vehicle. Currently, Walmart does not have a set restocking schedule, while Target restocks its toys section twice a week.
In the past, collectors liked to hang around Walmart, Target, and other large chains to get first dibs on crates. Today, Hot Wheels are a little bit rarer than before, but they’re still accessible at these locations. Knowing when to search the stores can be pivotal to your success in finding Hot Wheels, though.
In this article, we will learn how frequently Walmart and Target restock their Hot Wheels. We also discuss which company stocks Hot Wheels at these locations. Keep reading to learn when to stake out Walmart and Target for their Hot Wheels.
What Days Does Walmart Restock Hot Wheels?
Currently, there is no consistent restock schedule for Hot Wheels at Walmart. They sometimes come in the inventory, but not always. As of January 2022, stocks are becoming more frequent, but they are not coming frequently enough to say for certain when Walmart gets new batches.
That being said, Walmart restocks all of its merchandise every night. This means that if Hot Wheels are brought by truck to be added to the inventory, they will be added to the shelves at night. You can use this knowledge to your advantage as a Hot Wheel collector.
Most locations start bringing out crates around 8:30 PM or 9:00 PM. They will begin to stalk the shelves overnight. By the early morning, the restocking phase will be done entirely.
What does this mean for you? It means you should check out the Hot Wheel section late at night or early in the morning. Most enthusiasts recommend checking out the shelves before 6:00 AM. This will give you a leg up on the competition because you will have first dibs at the Hot Wheels.
Keep in mind that you will likely not see Hot Wheels every morning. After all, Hot Wheels aren’t on the inventory every night. Even so, looking through the collection before 6:00 AM gives you the best chance of finding Hot Wheels at your local Walmart.
To check the current price and availability of Hot Wheels, click here to view the selection on Amazon.
What Company Stocks Hot Wheels at Walmart?
Walmart is one of the few companies that can purchase Hot Wheels directly from Mattel. Mattel is the company that owns Hot Wheels, as well as Barbie and other popular toy brands. In North America, Mattel sells directly to large stores, such as Walmart and Amazon.
This means that Hot Wheels at Walmart are purchased directly from Mattel. As a result, you can trust that the Hot Wheels you are getting from Walmart are true Hot Wheels and not knockoffs.
If you were to shop at a small toy store, you aren’t necessarily purchasing a Hot Wheels toy directly from Mattel. Most smaller companies get their Hot Wheels from distributors. Walmart is one of the few major companies that purchase its products directly from Mattel.
The same is true of international stores. Most international stores get their products from distributors, not Mattel directly. This makes Walmart one of a kind.
What Days Does Target Restock Hot Wheels?
Target’s restocking process is a little bit different from Walmart’s. Instead of restocking everything every night, Target has a rotating schedule based on the day of the week. To make matters even more confusing, Target restock schedules often depend on region. In other words, Target stores in Tennessee may not have the same restocking schedule as Target stores in California.
In most cases, Target restocks its toy selection twice a week. Hot Wheels would fall under this category. For many locations, toy restocks happen on Monday and Friday nights, but this is not always the case.
The good thing about the Target restocks schedule is that you can talk to your Target workers to see when their schedule is. Most workers will be happy to let you know their specific restock schedule. This will give you a clearer idea of when Hot Wheels will most likely be restocked.
Like Walmart, Target is not restocking Hot Wheels as frequently as they once did. So, even though Target restocks its toys twice a week, that does not mean Hot Wheels will be in that collection twice a week.
In terms of when is the best time to shop for Hot Wheels, early morning is best. Target prefers to restock products overnight as well. Shopping between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM often results in the most fruitful findings.
To check the current price and availability of Hot Wheels, click here to view the selection on Amazon.
What Company Stocks Hot Wheels at Target?
Just like Walmart, Target gets its Hot Wheels directly from Mattel. Walmart, Target, and Amazon are the leading three stores that get their Hot Wheels and Mattel products straight from the source. This is largely because these three companies are responsible for most of Mattel’s sales.
Once again, the fact that Target gets its shipments directly from Mattel means that you know the Hot Wheels are the real deal and not knockoffs.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, it can be challenging to know precisely when Hot Wheels are restocked at both Walmart and Target. Both companies are experiencing fewer shipments of Mattel’s Hot Wheels, so it’s impossible to know exactly when shipments will arrive.
Even so, you can stalk out the aisles so that you have the best chance of finding good Hot Wheels when they arrive. Shopping late at night or early in the morning at Walmart is a good idea if this is your store of choice. If you prefer Target, shopping early in the morning is the best way to find the toys.
You can trust that the Hot Wheels are legit at both locations. Walmart and Target are the few companies purchasing their Hot Wheels directly from Mattel. You don’t have to worry about knockoffs or faulty items as a result. Happy hunting!