Walmart is further integrating cutting-edge technology into its services, introducing drone deliveries into its app, expanding its InHome service, and launching a GenAI-powered shopping assistant. In the highly competitve retail space, these advancements aim to provide unmatched convenience and elevate the shopping experience for its tech-savvy customers.
Since launching drone delivery trials in 2021, Walmart has completed over 30,000 deliveries. The service has now expanded to cover up to 75% of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area. Starting later this month, eligible customers in DFW will receive notifications through the Walmart app about the new drone delivery option, integrated with Alphabet’s drone delivery service, Wing, among other partners.
“Our goal is to make drone delivery completely seamless for our partners and their customers,” Wing CEO Adam Woodworth said. “When Wing delivery is available within the Walmart app later this month, customers will have a wider selection and a better shopping experience than ever before. This is a major step toward making drone delivery a part of everyday life.”
Current stores offering Wing drone delivery include:
- 9101 N Tarrant Pkwy, North Richland Hills, TX
- 6401 NE Loop 820, North Richland Hills, TX
- 801 W Main St, Lewisville, TX
- 8555 Preston Rd, Frisco, TX
Walmart’s Adoption of AI, More Services
Walmart’s InHome service, which delivers groceries and essentials directly into customers’ homes, has expanded to reach over 45 million households across 50 markets, including major cities like Boston, Detroit, and Philadelphia. Since its launch in 2019, the service has created over 4,000 jobs for dedicated delivery drivers. Recently, Walmart enhanced InHome with AI-powered Replenishment, which predicts customer needs and automatically adds items to their cart, further simplifying the shopping process.
GenAI-Powered Shopping Assistant
Earlier this year, Walmart introduced a GenAI search experience on Walmart.com and its app, streamlining the shopping process with more relevant results. Building on this, Walmart is now beta testing a GenAI-powered shopping assistant. This assistant engages in natural conversations with customers, helping them find the best products for their needs. Over time, it will include more advanced features, transforming Walmart from just a shopping destination to a comprehensive solution for customer needs.
Walmart’s continuous innovation aims to enhance the shopping experience, offering flexible and convenient options such as In-Store Pickup, Early Morning Delivery, and Late-Night Express Delivery. With these tech-driven services, Walmart is demonstrating its commitment to adoption of high tech services to enhance its traditional shopping model.
Read more:
- Sky’s the Limit: Walmart’s Ambitious Drone Expansion with Wing and Zipline Set to Transform Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Delivery Landscape
- Walmart Parters with Wing on Drone Delivery in Dallas Fort Worth
- The Top 5 Items Ordered for Drone Delivery: Walmart Publishes the Numbers
- Walmart Drone Delivery Now Available from 11 New Stores in Texas
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
Subscribe to DroneLife here.