Walmart is rolling out a new early morning delivery service, aiming to stay competitive with rivals like Target and Amazon. Tom Ward, the executive vice president of Walmart U.S., unveiled the service, comparing it to daylight saving time, which coincidentally occurs on March 10 in the U.S.
The early morning delivery service offers two options to customers. The “morning express options” are available to all customers, regardless of their enrollment in Walmart’s loyalty program, Walmart+. The first option, priced at $10 per trip, provides delivery within an hour or as quickly as 30 minutes. However, orders must be placed at 6 am local time to qualify. The second option, costing $5, promises delivery within approximately three hours.
Ward emphasized that there will be a base delivery fee for non-Walmart+ members, while Walmart+ members will still need to pay the $10 fee for the early morning express option if they desire delivery within the one-hour window. This move aligns with Walmart’s commitment to providing customers with more convenience and saving them time.
The announcement reflects Walmart’s ongoing efforts to innovate and meet evolving consumer demands in the competitive retail landscape. With this new service, Walmart aims to offer customers greater flexibility and convenience in their shopping experience.
The introduction of Walmart’s new early morning delivery service is undoubtedly influenced by the competitive landscape, with rivals like Target and Amazon enhancing their respective loyalty programs to meet increasing consumer demands.
According to Walmart’s Ward, the timing of the early morning delivery service aligns with the rising expectations of consumers, and it reflects the retailer’s commitment to meeting customers’ needs. Leveraging its extensive network of 4,700 U.S. locations as fulfillment centers, Walmart aims to provide customers with greater convenience and flexibility in their shopping experience.
While Walmart already offers free same-day delivery for orders over $35 to Walmart+ members, the new service expands accessibility to a broader customer base, including non-members. Walmart+ membership is currently priced at $12.95 per month or approximately $98 annually.
Target’s recent announcement of Target 360 Circle, set to launch on April 7, offers similar perks, including same-day delivery for unlimited orders over $35. Meanwhile, Amazon’s Prime membership, priced at $14.99 per month or approximately $139 annually, provides free same-day delivery among other benefits, further intensifying competition in the retail space.