Walmart announced on Monday that it had unveiled a new logo, part of “a comprehensive brand refresh.”

The U.S.-based retailer boasted in a news release that the new look — its first change since 2008 — reflects its evolution. In its online “brand center,” Walmart applauded its colour palette (true blue and spark yellow), font (“everyday sans”) and trademark “spark” symbol, calling the latter “a beacon that guides customers.”

But some people online have noticed something else about the new logo.

"Someone on X commented, 'It appears unchanged,' reflecting a common feeling shared by many others."

"Another user commented, 'I can't believe someone was actually compensated for this!'"

"A thorough revamp has been needed for quite some time, and although it might unsettle a few, it was about time for this bold transformation," quipped another person.

Walmart is the world’s largest retailer, employing some 1.6 million people in the U.S. and approximately 100,000 people in Canada.

Its founder, Sam Walton, opened the first store in 1962 in Rogers, Ark., and launched its first logo at the same time: the word WALMART in straight blue writing, according to the Walmart Museum.

According to Business Insider, Walmart has rolled out seven different logos prior to the newest one. This includes shifting the text from WALMART to WAL-MART to WAL*MART to, finally, Walmart, as we know it now: one word, lower case, no hyphen or star.

In 2008, the company added the yellow “spark,” which represents “the spark of inspiration” that led Walton to create the first store, according to the Walmart Museum.

In its statement, Walmart revealed that the refreshed logo draws inspiration from the iconic trucker hat worn by Sam Walton.

The update “demonstrates our evolving capabilities and longstanding commitment to serve our customers of today and tomorrow,” said William White, senior vice-president and chief marketing officer for Walmart U.S. in Monday’s news release.

'Significant distinctions'

The response to the updated logo wasn't entirely negative. Several design and marketing platforms, for example, referred to it as a pleasing "glow-up," emphasizing that a significant overhaul of Walmart's well-known logo would be illogical.

“The logo serves as a prime illustration of simplicity executed beautifully,” notes the editor of the design platform Creative Bloq.

"Although some segments of the internet are puzzled by the 'subtle' modifications, Walmart, being a major brand, had no necessity to overhaul its logo entirely. The design team has excelled in highlighting the most effective elements of the current design to align with the brand's objectives."

The changes may be hard for the “unobservant eye to spot,” writes the Fast Company website, while explaining that the word Walmart has been redrawn, the spark is separated from the text and the blue is brighter.

In a Fast Company article, White is quoted stating, "You might consider it subtle, yet there are significant distinctions."

And as Forbes notes, Walmart “didn’t become worth over $735 billion by throwing money away.” There was likely a professional team behind the update, even if the changes appear minor.

"Transitioning from consistency to keeping pace with contemporary trends, there are compelling justifications for the seemingly subtle alteration in Walmart's updated logo."

Nevertheless, that hasn't prevented individuals on the internet from enjoying themselves a little.

“Is this a joke?” posted someone on X.

"Many individuals are criticizing the redesign of the Walmart logo, but if you've ever been a third-grade girl, you'd notice that the new logo is entirely distinct — the previous one resembled a sun, while the new one looks like a flower," shared X user Kelley K.