Walmart is taking drone delivery to the next level, with plans to reach dozens of major U.S. cities by next year, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando and Tampa.
The move builds on its current partnership with drone provider Wing, already live in the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) area, where deliveries are happening from 18 Supercenters. Now, Walmart plans to add another 100 stores.
“As we look ahead, drone delivery will remain a key part of our commitment to redefining retail. We’re pushing the boundaries of convenience to better serve our customers, making shopping faster and easier than ever before,” said Greg Cathey, SVP, of Walmart U.S. transformation and innovation.
Proven success in Texas
In DFW, Wing and Walmart are making thousands of deliveries every week, with an average drop time of under 19 minutes, already reaching about 2 million people in the region.
“This is real drone delivery at scale,” said Adam Woodworth, CEO of Wing. “People all around the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex have made drone delivery part of their normal shopping habits over the past year.
“The popularity of drone delivery in DFW is a testament not just to its convenience, but to the way this technology quickly becomes a part of everyday life,” Woodworth added.
Shoppers can sign up on Wing’s site to get notified when drone delivery hits their area and they can order thousands of items from fresh produce to household essentials.
Flying at speeds up to 65 mph, Wing drones deliver within six miles of Walmart.
During checkout, customers drop a pin to mark exactly where they want the drone to land, such as the front yard or backyard. Walmart packs the order in a specialized box, and a Wing drone picks it up. Flying at speeds up to 65 mph, the drone delivers within six miles of the store and gently lowers the package to the ground using a tether.
Drone delivery is heating up
Walmart’s latest expansion comes as drone delivery gains traction in both retail and food service. Other key players include Zipline and Flytrex.
Related: Drones Set to Transform Restaurant Delivery
On the restaurant side, Zipline has partnered with brands like Panera Bread, Jet’s Pizza, Pagliacci Pizza, and more. Flytrex works with Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike’s, and others.
Wing also handles restaurant drone deliveries through a partnership with DoorDash, flying for brands like Wendy’s, Panera and more.
