Greater convenience is on the horizon for Walmart customers.
As Internet retailers continue to grow on the grocery market, Walmart is stepping up its game in order to keep up with the competition.
According to a report from CNet, Walmart has announced that it will be expanding its drive-up service to eight more U.S. markets this month, bringing the total number of markets with access to Walmart’s drive-up service to 30. The new drive-up service locations include Kansas City, Mo.; Boise, Idaho; Richmond and Virginia Beach, Va.; Austin, Texas; Provo, Utah; Daphne, Ala. and Charleston, S.C. The company has plans to add additional markets this year.
CNet also reported that Walmart has announced plans to double its current number of pickup locations in Dallas, Houston and Atlanta.
According to CNet, Walmart’s drive-up service is offered at no additional cost, and it allows customers to order their groceries online and pick up their orders in a Walmart parking lot – just another way grocery shopping is becoming even more convenient. Walmart’s services are attracting a growing number of customers, and it is a profitable option for the chain, because it is not necessary for the retailer to hire delivery drivers, which is what most of the chain’s competition is doing. However, Walmart may need to make a change in order to keep up with the competition.
CNet reported that, even though Walmart is still taking in much greater revenue than competitors, such as Amazon, in February the company posted its first annual drop in revenue in 45 years, while Amazon’s revenue is growing in the double digits. Therefore, in order to keep up with the competition, Walmart is working on delivery drones to pursue an Amazon-like delivery service.