Walmart adds late-night express delivery

Walmart has launched late-night express delivery from more than 4,000 stores across the country, offering delivery until 10 p.m. on orders placed by 9:30 p.m.

The retail giant said customers can use its Live Shopper feature for real-time texting with the in-store shopper to discuss substitutions or last-minute additions.

“The whole experience feels like you’re texting a friend to grab you something while they’re at the store, helping to further personalize our online shopping service,” Walmart said in a statement Tuesday. “So, if you suddenly realize you’re out of cold medicine, you can let your shopper know and they can make the add.”

Walmart introduced express delivery in April 2020, saying it accelerated rollout of the service due to the pandemic. The offering began as a test in 100 stores, expanded to nearly 1,000 stores the following May, and was available in 2,000 stores a few weeks later.

In 2021, Walmart removed the $35 minimum order requirement for express delivery. There is no markup on items delivered via the service, though Walmart charges a $10 express delivery fee on top of existing delivery charges.

At the time of its debut, express delivery offered more than 160,000 products across grocery, general merchandise and more. The retailer now says more than 200,000 items are available for delivery in as little as 30 minutes and up to 90 minutes.

Offering late-night delivery, Walmart said, is “about more than just staying up late.”

“It’s about building a suite of pickup and delivery options that prioritize convenience, speed and putting the customer at the very center,” Tom Ward, EVP and chief e-commerce officer for Walmart U.S., said in a company blog post.

To use the service, Walmart customers can choose pickup and delivery options via the retailer’s app or website. They can then select their preferred time slot.

Walmart last month reported that its e-commerce sales jumped 24% during the second quarter, fueled by growth in pickup and delivery. Weekly active digital users grew more than 20% during the period, and the retailer said it is working on improving its digital margins.

“We like the trends we’re seeing in e-commerce,” CFO John David Rainey told analysts.