By Samuel Pitts
Motlow Buzz Reporter
SMYRNA, Tenn. -- The Walmart store at 570 Enon Springs Road East in Smyrna, Tennessee, plans to begin offering new delivery services that bring groceries to customers’ homes using local Uber or Lyft drivers.
The Walmart parent company in Arkansas announced a partnership with the public transportation companies Uber and Lyft in June 2016. This collaboration will allow customers to order groceries online for delivery to them within the safety and convenience of their homes.
“Walmart decided to start this program to extend another service to its clientele,” Co-Manager of the Smyrna Walmart Kenny Roberts said. “And it opens the door to new clientele that does not wish or is not able to make it to the store.”
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| A specialized associate loading an online order |
The process begins with a customer placing a grocery order online and choosing a delivery time period. Specialized associates will review the list of items and prepare the order. An associate will then make a request for a driver from Uber or Lyft to visit to the store, pick up the order, and deliver it directly to the customer’s location.
The service is available within Uber and Lyft designated driving areas. The cost of the order increases with a greater travel distance.
“Unlike other online delivery programs, Walmart’s services are free,” Roberts said. “With other grocers you pay a fee for the pickup service. The order is the only charge. As of now, I think we are the only big box retailer offering the delivery option.”
Right now, the program is being tested in Denver and Phoenix. So far, results have shown fairly positive reactions. The company hopes the program will be headed to all stores by the end of the year.
Shoppers will be able to order from a selection of 40,000 items. Walmart offers 30,000 food products and 10,000 household items such as cosmetics, diapers and pet supplies.
The Smyrna Walmart and its customers will benefit from the new delivery service. It’s currently one of the highest-grossing Walmart stores in the nation, although it is one of the smallest by comparison in size. Adding this program will increase company profit and help it compete with Amazon.
Many jobs will be created. There will be a need for more specialized associates, as well as drivers for Uber and Lyft as the program grows and becomes more popular to use. It will also grow the Online Grocery Pickup service, which will also bring more employment opportunities to the store.
“I think it will be one of the best choices for home delivery,” Roberts said. “It will combine Walmart’s low prices with the ability to get it the same day for a small fee.”
Amazon is the chief competitor of Walmart. The Seattle-based company is the largest online-based retailer in the world in total sales and market capitalization. Amazon surpassed Wal-Mart in 2015.
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| Graph indicating Amazon surpassing Wal-Mart |
Walmart is an American multinational retailing corporation based in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company was founded by Sam Walton in 1962 in hopes of helping customers and communities save money and live better.
Although the new service is not yet available, you can order groceries online to be picked up at the store by going to https://grocery.walmart.com.
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