Walmart Is Expanding Its Pickup and Grocery Delivery Services
Walmart is one of Amazon's major competitors, and recent moves by the budget retailer only strengthen that argument. Sure, Amazon Locker and Prime Now give Prime members plenty of options for order pickup and grocery delivery, but Walmart is catching up. Check out how it's improving the pickup and delivery process for its customers.
Walmart Promises Easier In-Store Pickup
Walmart has utilized in-store pickup for years now, and even introduced a pickup discount to help customers save more. In an effort to make the process even easier and more appealing, the retailer has created Pickup Towers. Walmart has already installed these units in nearly 200 of its stores.
The towers are relatively easy to use, with customers first needing to complete their purchase online. They then receive an email when their item is ready for pickup at a nearby tower. To pick up the order, customers scan the barcode within the email, and out comes the package. "The response has been overwhelmingly positive," according to Walmart, and the retailer is moving forward. It's now planning to add another 500 Pickup Towers to its stores by the end of 2018.
Grocery Delivery Could Be Coming to Your Area
Walmart is also looking to expand its grocery delivery service. Currently, it only covers six metro areas, but the service is being expanded to reach 100. A minimum order of $30 is required, and you'll have to pay $9.95 for delivery. Partnerships with companies like Uber Technologies and Postmates will enable Walmart to service more areas.
SEE ALSO: Can You Get Groceries Delivered If You Don't Live in a City?
Walmart isn't the only store embracing grocery delivery, either. Kroger has introduced home delivery in more than 872 stores, and it's recently expanded its partnership with Instacart. Target is in a position to wage its own war against both Amazon and Walmart, as it purchased Shipt, a grocery delivery service. The bullseye intends to offer same-day delivery at the majority of Target stores by the end of 2018.
Walmart Is Catching Up to Amazon
Amazon introduced its own pickup lockers in 2011, and further expanded its reach when it purchased Whole Foods last year. The online retailer also recently announced 2-hour Prime Now grocery delivery from Whole Foods, which is free for its Prime members in eligible cities.
Readers, what do you think of these changes at Walmart? Have you used the Pickup Towers or had your groceries delivered? Let us know in the comments below!
however, i also used the pickup service for the first time yesterday. i made a list of about $50 worth of groceries. The search function is very intuitive. You can search for bread and then choose which brand you want. pictures are pretty good, but could use a zoom option.
everything was in stock. the fresh produce i purchased (tomatoes and onions) i would have chosen myself. downloaded the app and checked-in on my way there. arrived and called and they answered right away and were out in a minute or less. didn't even leave my car. they loaded the suv and shut the lift gate. gave me a goody bag for my first order. tips not accepted.
painless.