The Internet and technology in general have revolutionized the world of commerce, allowing consumers to order products via their computer or mobile device and have them arrive at their door or office within a few days or even a few hours.
Remarkably enough, nobody has figured out how to efficiently deliver groceries. Sure, you can order canned goods and other non-perishables but I’m talking about temperature-sensitive items like milk, yogurt, cheese, seafood and ice cream – goods that would spoil without proper refrigeration.
Major grocery store chains have done their part to put stores within our cities and towns but getting items from the store to your home is largely your responsibility.
Several companies have tried to crack the grocery delivery nut but thus far, none have really succeeded outside of a few local test markets. Will Walmart’s latest effort fare any better? Perhaps.
Rather than create its own delivery division, Walmart is partnering with established ride services Uber and Lyft on a last-mile delivery program that’ll initially be piloted in Denver and Phoenix.
As Bloomberg explains, customers would select and pay for their groceries online. Employees at the local Walmart would then fill the order and have an Uber or Lyft driver come pick them up and deliver them to the customer. Walmart would charge a fee of between $7 to $10 for the delivery service, we’re told.
Would you be willing to pay a small fee to avoid the grocery store experience and have your purchases hand-delivered? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
