Walmart is testing two multi-channel initiatives in the US — “Pick Up Today” and “FedEx Site to Store”.
Pick Up Today enables customers to order online for same-day collection at a local Walmart store. It is expanding the service to nearly 800 Walmart stores in large metro areas across the US later this month.
Customers can see the inventory of their local store for electronics, video games and household appliances, and purchase those products from home.
Online orders are usually ready for pick up in about four hours, and orders placed after 6pm are ready for pick up at 10am the next day.
Walmart is also expanding the pilot of its FedEx Site to Store service from Los Angeles and Boston to include additional locations in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Washington DC.
This service is aimed at customers who don’t live near a Walmart store. It enables them to purchase tens of thousands of items — most of which are offered only online — and have them shipped for free to their nearest FedEx office.
Steve Nave, senior vice president and general manager of Walmart.com, said: “We know more customers begin their shopping trips online and finish in stores, and our new ‘Pick Up Today’ and ‘FedEx Site to Store’ test programmess combine the ease of online shopping with the ability to conveniently retrieve the order at a physical location.
“Expanding these tests allows us to further learn from our customers and continue to bring innovations that make it easier for them to shop and save at Walmart.”