Walmart to expand online grocery deliveries to over 40% US households by year-end

Walmart says that it intends to expand its online grocery delivery service to more than 40 per cent of US households by year-end, growing from its current availability in just six markets to over 100 metro areas during that time.

This means it will be making deliveries from 800 stores. According to commentators, the move comes in response to Amazon offering foods grocery delivery via Prime Now.

However, unlike with Prime Now, ordering groceries online from Walmart does not require a subscription of any kind, only a minimum order of $30.

Customers can place their orders via Walmart's dedicated grocery shopping website or the standalone Walmart Grocery app. While placing an order when they would either like to pick up their groceries curbside, or have them delivered – sometimes as soon as same-day.

Curbside pick up by customer attracts no charge while delivery costs an additional flat fee of $9.95.

Walmarts' grocery service tends to be more affordable than that of rivals, which is perhaps Walmart's key advantage in this space.

Also unlike grocery delivery services like Instacart and Shipt (the latter which was recently acquired by Target for $550 million), Walmart does not mark up the cost of groceries sold online and are offered at the same price as in Walmart stores.

Greg Foran, president and CEO, Walmart US, said, ''We're saving customers time by leveraging new technology, and connecting all the parts of our business into a single seamless shopping experience: great stores, easy pickup, fast delivery, and apps and websites that are simple to use. We're serving our customers in ways that no one else can. Using our size and scale, we're bringing the best of Walmart to customers across the country.''

''Walmart Grocery Delivery brings customers the convenience of shopping when and where they want for quality, fresh produce, meat, seafood and bakery items, along with pantry staples, consumables and seasonal general merchandise. Customers place their orders online at Walmart.com/grocery or on the existing Walmart Grocery App, and unlike other services, they find the same every day low prices on items that they do in stores.''