Wal-Mart tests same-day delivery
by October 9, 2012 11:31 am 84 views
Delivery systems are the latest craze among retailers seeking to woo customers ahead of the holiday shopping season.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it’s testing same-day delivery of televisions, toys and other general merchandise bought online in a handful of U.S. markets.
“Walmart To Go” is being tested in Philadelphia and Northern Virginia with plans to expand the service to Minneapolis this week, according to a company statement. By the end of the month the retailer plans to extend the service to the San Jose/San Francisco area.
Walmart US President Bill Simon said last month the company was using some brick and mortar stores to fill online orders in a timely matter because it also reduced shipping costs.
The same-day deliver is not free, but does provide convenience that consumers are apt to pay for, according to analysts.
Just as Amazon is expanding it’s warehouse presence to provide quicker delivery service, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is trying to answer that challenge with “Wal-Mart to Go”.
Shoppers pay a flat $10 fee for same-day delivery. Orders placed by noon are delivered the same day.
Wal-Mart said it’s answering the demand of its customers who have asked for same-day delivery.
It’s yet another example of how the retail behemoth tries to be all things to all people — a pledge CEO Mike Duke made three years ago.