Walmart Expands Grocery Pickup Locations at Neighborhood Markets

The increased locations are part of a test the discount retailer is conducting on curbside pickup of groceries.

September 17, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Walmart ratcheted up its test of curbside pickup for groceries by adding five more Neighborhood Market locations in Arkansas, the Wall Street Journal reports. Walmart currently has one freestanding pickup location near its headquarters. Lately, major retailers, including Target and Whole Foods, have embarked on a flurry of activity related to online ordering and delivery or at-store pickup.

Over the past few weeks, Walmart has increased the number of grocery pickup stores in Supercenter and Neighborhood Markets in Denver, Phoenix and Huntsville, Ala. Shoppers order groceries and other items online, then pick a time slot for pickup. When arriving at the store, the shopper phones store personnel, who carry their order out to the vehicle. A minimum order of $30 is required for the service.

Walmart has upped its investment in curbside pickup, focusing on that service rather than delivering groceries directly to the consumer. While the retailer tested a delivery service in San Jose, Calif., four years ago—and added Denver in 2013—Walmart has chosen to work on refining online ordering and curbside pickup.

“The U.S. is a car-based country. Convenience for many Americans isn’t waiting at home for something to show up,” said Bryan Gildenberg, chief knowledge officer at Kantar Retail.

Walmart, along with Target and a host of other retailers, already have offers online ordering and in-store pickup.

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