Walmart, the big box retail giant, is one of the highest earners in the sector with a high concentration of stores located all around the country. In fact, the supermarket chain is so well established that allegedly every single individual in the country lives in a 10 mile radius from a Walmart store.
Despite the mass exodus to online shopping over the last few years, for a supermarket business, the brick and mortar model is still proving to remain fruitful and as such, the retailer has been continuously working towards bettering its in-store experience for customers, whilst also growing its online presence as it adapts to evolving markets and changing consumer preferences.
In pursuit of this growth, the retailer has introduced a new service to its online offerings and it is finally available nationwide.
What’s new at Walmart?
The big box giant recently issued a statement revealing that it has made a significant improvement to its official website. This change promises to streamline the shopping experience for customers and it was made available nationwide.
As part of this new framework, the retailer also revealed that the Same Day Pharmacy Delivery services will now be available to all Walmart customers spanning forty-nine states. This service will provide an extra level of convenience to shoppers who prefer to have their prescriptions delivered directly to their homes. It also creates a better sense of accessibility to medication and prescriptions for the elderly or sickly who to not have the means or capability to physically go in to the store for their pharmaceutical needs.
Last year, in October, this same day delivery service was launched in six states, and now finally, it is available across the country. According to the retailer, “Same Day Pharmacy Delivery is a store- to-door service that integrates various technologies, including artificial intelligence. This service allows customers to receive their medications and products within 24 hours.”
“Pharmacy Delivery is led by more than 15,000 pharmacists nationwide, who help provide customers with more convenient access to healthcare through the dispensing and delivery of prescriptions and medication refills , with select exceptions,” according to the official statement.
How will Same Day Pharmacy Delivery work?
Customers will make use of their Walmart.com accounts to utilize this new service. The customer will place their order and once the pharmacist fills the prescription, the shopper will be notified of it through their account, along with the availability of delivery options for their order.
There will be several delivery options available and the retailer has explained that, “You can select the delivery that best suits your needs: scheduled for the same day, on-demand, or express.”
Customers can then track their orders in real time, and their prescriptions or medication will be delivered using tamper-evident packaging to assure shoppers of the quality and safety of their items.
Additionally, as a membership exclusive perk, the company has also shared that, “Walmart+ members will receive free delivery as a member benefit , while customers who are not yet Walmart+ members will be charged based on their delivery preference.”
Other changes
For the foreseeable future, Walmart loyalists can expect to see a major expansion from the chain. “In the next five years, Walmart is planning to build or convert more than 150 stores, while simultaneously continuing our program to remodel existing stores. These efforts represent millions of dollars in capital investment of labor, supplies and tax revenue, which benefit their respective communities. And they’ll help us reach and serve even more customers,” CEO John Furner shared.
In terms of more immediate changes, the retailer also recently announced that it will be introducing a new luxury beauty section to its stores. Shoppers can look forward to purchasing items from brands such as, La Roche-Posay, Buxom, Chalk, and FHI Heat.
The retailer will also be switching its Buy Now, Pay Later from Affirm to Klarna at checkout and this change is expected to roll out over the coming weeks.