BENTONVILLE, Ark., and MINNEAPOLIS-Both Walmart and Target have launched tests involving fast deliveries of merchandise purchased online.
Walmart’s program is part of its “Walmart To Go” effort. It involves same-day deliveries of online purchases during the holiday shopping season. The test is now being conducted in three markets—northern Virginia, Philadelphia and Minneapolis—with plans to expand the test to the San Francisco/San Jose market in late October or early November. Walmart is charging its customers $10 for same-day delivery for an unlimited number of items, with no minimum purchase.
Target, meanwhile, has joined the eBay Now service for a test in the San Francisco market. In this, shoppers place online orders that are fulfilled by eBay from Target stores, with the option of having the merchandise delivered within hours of the order. As part of this initiative, Target will begin to sell a limited assortment of its merchandise on eBay’s Marketplace.
A Target spokesman said, “We see great potential in both initiatives, and are excited about the pilots as we work to create great digital shopping experiences for our increasingly tech-savvy guests.”
Walmart launched “Walmart To Go” for grocery deliveries in San Jose in April 2010, and later extended it to the San Francisco area. The holidays test offering extends the service to include general merchandise.