Headline: Walmart Accelerates Prescription Delivery to Just 30 Minutes
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) announced a significant enhancement in customer service by introducing a rapid delivery option that promises to deliver prescription medications to customers' doors within just 30 minutes. This fast service also allows customers to combine their medication refills with grocery shopping and other orders. This announcement, made on Tuesday, is a competitive response to Amazon.com Inc.'s (NASDAQ:AMZN) recent announcement of plans to expand its pharmacy services with same-day delivery to more US cities by 2025.
Previously, Walmart customers had to wait five to seven business days for prescription deliveries, with an option for expedited overnight delivery available for an additional $15 fee. The new fast delivery service currently operates in six states: Arkansas, Missouri, New York, Nevada, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. Plans are in place to expand this service to 49 states by the end of January next year.
Walmart Plus members can benefit from this accelerated delivery service at no additional charge, while non-members will incur a standard delivery fee of $9.95. The retailer stated that customers can choose between on-demand rapid delivery within 30 minutes and scheduled same-day delivery.
The company's online and app platforms will support the seamless addition of prescriptions to orders of other products from local Walmart stores. However, the service will not cover controlled substances, refrigerated medicines, and Medicare Part B items that require in-person service.
Another major player in the health sector, CVS Health Corp (NYSE:CVS), offers customers free same-day delivery through its CarePass membership program. Similarly, pharmacy chain Walgreens provides 24-hour delivery service, including groceries, over-the-counter drugs, and other items.
This development follows Walmart's earlier decision this year to close all 51 health clinics and its virtual health services operations after determining that the business model was not sustainable.