Expanding its rapid delivery initiative, Walmart now provides 30-minutes-or-less service in 38 U.S. markets, responding to increased consumer preference for fast fulfillment, even when an additional fee is involved.
Rapid Delivery Reaches More Shoppers
During the company’s second quarter earnings call on Thursday, John Furner, President and CEO of Walmart U.S., announced that fast-track delivery, initially launched in May across 33 metropolitan areas such as Dallas, Chicago, Houston, Denver, and Atlanta, is now available to millions more customers. Walmart has since reached new locations, including Nashville, Tennessee; Omaha, Nebraska; San Antonio, Texas; Wichita, Kansas; and Winter Haven, Florida, according to a company spokesperson.
Furner shared during the call that shoppers utilizing rapid delivery engage more actively with Walmart and tend to become members of Walmart+, the subscription program offering various benefits.
As demand for instant access continues to climb—whether for food, pharmacy items, or last-minute presents—other retailers are also stepping up their same-day delivery capabilities.
Speed Fuels E-Commerce Growth
Walmart attributes significant e-commerce momentum to its speedy delivery services; a spokesperson reported that the gross merchandise value associated with options guaranteeing fulfillment in three hours or less surged by 48% year-over-year during the second quarter. Speedy fulfillment remains a cornerstone of Walmart’s strategy, which also features an expanded drone delivery partnership with Wing and the rollout of one-hour delivery to hundreds of Sam’s Club outlets this year.
Customers are responding positively despite premium pricing: a $10 surcharge applies to 30-minutes-or-less delivery for Walmart+ members. John David Rainey, Chief Financial Officer, pointed out that 37% of store-fulfilled deliveries in the quarter involved customers who chose and paid for the fastest delivery options, setting a new benchmark for speedy order adoption.
Walmart’s strengths, according to Furner, stem from a robust combination of local delivery networks, fulfillment infrastructure, and a vast retail footprint, allowing it to efficiently connect with customers while controlling costs.
In the second quarter, last-mile fulfillment managed via physical stores generated more than 40% sales growth in store-fulfilled delivery orders, Rainey said. The company now fills 80% of e-commerce purchases directly from its stores, and all the fastest delivery orders are sourced from store locations.
Automation Drives Further Efficiency
Efficiency gains continue as Walmart increases automation throughout its supply chain: 3,100 U.S. stores are now restocked with inventory handled and palletized by automated processes, which improves workflow and inventory visibility.
Furner emphasized that automation accelerates product movement and enhances in-stock performance. “These advancements not only fortify the efficiency of our omnichannel approach but also—by increasing network density and utilization—amplify the mutual benefits of speed and profitability,” he said.
By investing in rapid delivery alternatives and automation, Walmart aims to offer customers more reasons to shop—covering diverse shopping needs, even if that means paying a premium for the fastest options.