As COVID-19 continues to increase retail pickup and delivery profits, Walmart (NYSE: WMT) has just announced its latest initiative to make grocery delivery more convenient and painless for customers. According to today’s press release, Walmart is working with HomeValet, which will provide the internet-of-things-connected ‘smart box’ at the core of the service.
The new program will be tested in the spring of 2021 in Bentonville, Arkansas, where Walmart was founded and the location of its headquarters. Customers using the smartbox can pre-order delivery. When Walmart delivery personnel arrive, they will use an electronic device to access the box and place the groceries in it. At other times, the container remains securely closed.
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The smart box contains separate compartments for different foods, including non-chilled items, chilled groceries and frozen foods, which are kept at appropriate temperatures. With the smart box closed, except for the homeowner and delivery people, it can stand outside on a porch, walkway or lawn. This allows deliveries of groceries, which then stay fresh while the customer is at work or otherwise busy.
The press release states that the smart box provides an opportunity to deliver items 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Walmart says it does not yet have concrete plans for a 24-hour delivery service, but notes: “it definitely has a nice ring.”
Walmart apparently uses its COVID-19 cash windfall to set up as many services and subsidiaries as possible. Yesterday announced that a new fintech business is underway, while still going head-to-head for market share versus Amazon with subscription services, digital shopping and free proceeds, among other initiatives.