Walmart announced a multi-year partnership with Zipline that will add 300 new drone delivery locations across the United States, expanding the retailer’s fastest-delivery option to more neighborhoods.
New sites and expanded reach
The agreement builds on a program that began in 2021 and has already completed more than 2 million deliveries. By leveraging Walmart’s extensive store network, the company can place drone hubs within a short distance of customers.
Because 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart store, the retailer says it can offer drone delivery in as little as 30 minutes where the service is available. The new sites are part of a rollout that could grow beyond the initial 300 locations if demand rises.
Zipline, which operates the world’s largest commercial drone fleet by miles flown, has logged 150 million autonomous miles without a major safety incident. Its delivery drones hover at roughly 330 ft while a tethered pod lowers the package to the customer’s yard.
How the service works
Customers see the drone option in the Walmart app or on Walmart.com when their address falls inside a delivery zone. After adding eligible items to the cart, they place the order and can watch the drone’s progress on a live map.
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Deliveries land in a front yard, backyard or driveway, and the same items can also be ordered through the Zipline app for those who prefer a dedicated interface.
Walmart categorizes its same-day options by speed: Drone Delivery measured in minutes, a 30-minute-or-less tier for immediate needs, Express for under an hour, On-Demand for as soon as three hours, and Scheduled windows for later delivery.
Greg Cathey, senior vice president of eCommerce Fulfillment Transformation at Walmart, said customers often try the service out of curiosity but keep using it for the convenience of getting items “in minutes.”
Customer response and future outlook
Long-time user Melanie Millsap, a mother of four from Royse City, Texas, told the outlet that she “could not live without drone delivery,” noting it saves her time when she forgets an ingredient while cooking.
Keller Cliffton, CEO and co-founder of Zipline, recalled the first joint deliveries five years ago and highlighted how the speed of service “takes a huge amount of anxiety out of life,” allowing people to plan around family rather than errands.
