The store near me is an overcrowded mess but the groceries are so cheap I can overlook that fact. The employees are nice too. I think they do so much business they cannot keep up.
Walmart does so much business they can't keep up.
It's one of the reasons I shop there for food. Everything is fresh and new. I've bought "expired" stuff at Publix by accident - and that means the stuff was on the shelves for years. At Walmart, as soon as they get groceries on the shelves, someone's taking it down and putting it in their basket.
Old canned food is safe, but it starts breaking down - buy an old can of fruit from your local "we charge to the hilt" store then a can from Walmart. Both are safe, but the fruit in the old can will be mushier. Same with tomatoes and forzen foods.
Overcrowded is a fact, but it's worth it to get the better quality.