The initial phase of the expansion aims to reach over 40 million customers residing near participating stores in major metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Miami. Walmart currently operates about 4,600 stores nationwide. "It's no longer a question of whether Wing and Walmart will deliver to your city, but when", stated an announcement on 12/1.
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A drone in the sky transports a Walmart-branded package. Photo: Walmart |
A drone in the sky transports a Walmart-branded package. Photo: Walmart
This initiative positions Walmart to accelerate its rapid delivery efforts against competitor Amazon, as consumers increasingly expect deliveries within 30 minutes. The expansion builds on existing drone delivery operations already underway in Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta. Future launches are planned for Houston, Orlando, Tampa (Florida), and Charlotte (North Carolina). According to company announcements, drone delivery volume has tripled in the past six months.
"Whether for last-minute cooking ingredients, an urgent phone charger, or essential overnight items for busy families, the strong reception indicates this is the future of convenience", stated Greg Cathey, Senior Vice President of Digital Fulfillment Transformation at Walmart.
Wing, a subsidiary of Alphabet (Google's parent company), operates drones capable of flying at a maximum speed of about 96 km/h. These drones have a 19 km round-trip range and can transport goods weighing up to 2,3 kg. The service primarily focuses on quick-delivery items such as eggs, bread, or essential supplies.
Walmart customers can check their eligibility for Wing's drone delivery service by entering their address on Wing's application or website.
This expansion occurs as the drone delivery industry continues to face challenges, ranging from regulatory hurdles to noise complaints. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reportedly working to establish a clearer roadmap for long-range drone flights, a development expected to support the industry's growth.
By Anh Duong (Source: Supply Chain Dive)
