Walmart expands InHome delivery service
Walmart is starting off the new year with a resolution to bring the convenience of its InHome delivery service to even more customers.
The retailer shared plans to scale the service from six million households to 30 million households by the end of the year. To support the expansion, Walmart plans to hire more than 3,000 associate delivery drivers this year as well as build out a fleet of 100% all-electric delivery vans.
Launched in 2019, Walmart’s InHome delivery service is designed to give time back to families by using highly trained associates to deliver fresh groceries, everyday essentials and more directly into customers’ homes, including placing items straight into their kitchen or garage refrigerator, as well as picking up Walmart.com returns.
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To use the service, customers can place an order on the Walmart app and choose InHome as their preferred delivery option. Afterward, a trained InHome associate completes the delivery by arriving at the customer’s home and using a one-time access code to unlock a door or garage.
Customers are alerted at every step of the delivery, and a camera worn on associates’ vest, records the entire delivery, which customers have access to from their phones for up to a week after each delivery, the company said.
Walmart’s InHome Delivery service is $19.95 per month or $148 per year, with no additional fees, including tips which are built into the membership price. Customers can extend one-time access to their InHome associate using an existing smart lock, a garage keypad, or by purchasing a new smart lock from InHome for $49.95.
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InHome drivers are employed by Walmart and to fill these roles, the retailer will promote from within, the company said.
“This new role is yet another example of how technology is enabling us to offer new career opportunities that just didn’t exist a few years ago,” said Julie Murphy, executive vice president and chief people officer, Walmart U.S. “Expanding our number of InHome associates is a testament to the trust and confidence we have in them and their continuous commitment to delight our customers. There’s a path for everyone to build a career here at Walmart, and this position is further proof of that.”
InHome delivery is the newest delivery option to be scaled to Walmart customers and is an important part of its last-mile delivery strategy, which includes creating a low-cost last-mile delivery network focused on density, speed and sustainability, the company said.