Walmart has announced an expansion of its drone delivery service to over 300 sites across the country as part of a multi-year agreement with Zipline.
This move builds on the retailer’s drone delivery scheme, which has completed over 2m deliveries to date, according to the business.
According to the department store, this allows customers to receive last-minute products in a fast way for everyday convenience.
This builds on the success of the drone delivery scheme and aims to expand it to more communities nationwide with thousands of items available for delivery in as fast as 30 minutes.
Zipline is a major drone delivery service that uses technology designed for quiet and safe operations according to the retailer.
Greg Cathey, SVP, ecommerce fulfillment transformation, Walmart said: “We see customers try drone delivery for the novelty and then continue to come back to it for the convenience when they need something in minutes.
“Walmart’s stores put us close to the communities we serve. With Zipline, we can build on that proximity and bring this fast delivery option to even more customers across the country.”
Keller Cliffton, CEO and co-founder of Zipline said: “Five years ago, Walmart and Zipline made our first deliveries together. Back then, the idea of autonomous delivery seemed impossible to most people. Today, customers order from us multiple times a day.
“When you can get what you need in 10-30 minutes, it takes a huge amount of anxiety out of life. People can plan their lives around their loved ones, not errands. Now, with Walmart, we’re going to expand this tech to homes throughout the country.”
Shoppers will be able to choose this option when they visit the Walmart app or visit the retailer’s website.
Customers can add items to their cart and then track the order as it flies towards their home, which is delivered to the front yard, backyard, or driveway.
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