Walmart Just Announced It's Expanding These Two Services
From rolling out two-hour Express delivery to expanding its direct-to-fridge InHome delivery service, Walmart is continuously growing its portfolio of shopping options to maximize customer convenience. And now, America's largest retailer is ramping up two additional services: drone delivery and GoLocal.
Through a partnership with DroneUp, a drone flight services company, Walmart will bring high-flying deliveries to 4 million households across six states—Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. The big-box retailer has soaring hopes to make over 1 million drone deliveries by the end of 2022.
Walmart began testing this service after making deals with drone operators DroneUp, Flytrex, and Zipline two years ago. While the grocery chain originally thought shoppers would use this purchasing option for emergency items, it ultimately found that customers are simply using it out of convenience. In fact, the retailer pinpointed Hamburger Helper as a top drone delivery item from one of its stores.
Prior to the expansion, Walmart offered its drone delivery services in North Carolina and northwest Arkansas. Right now, customers who live within the proximity of one of the company's drone-delivery locations can order their items between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Each drone delivery has a $3.99 fee, and orders cannot exceed 10 pounds.
The second line of business that has experienced notable growth is GoLocal—Walmart's white-label delivery service geared toward smaller retailers. So, while you may place an order with a company that is not under Walmart's umbrella, a Walmart delivery employee may deliver the purchase.
According to last week's earnings call, the retail chain is now delivering to 1,600 retail and business locations across the country, which has increased from almost 1,000 service pickup points.
Walmart is looking to support mid-sized and regional businesses in addition to major retail chains with GoLocal. Last month, the company joined forces with Kelly-Moore Paints to provide same-day paint delivery at select stores in California, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Texas. More locations will be added going forward.
Additionally, GoLocal is targeting new customers by partnering with platforms that help retailers fulfill last-mile deliveries, such as Cognetry Labs and Delivery Solutions.
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