Walmart has added 150 new drone‑delivery sites to its existing 270‑site network, bringing the total to 420 locations that can serve customers within a 30‑minute window. The new sites include Los Angeles, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Miami, and a launch in Houston on January 15, 2026, and the rollout covers the company’s 4,600 U.S. stores.
The partnership with Wing, an Alphabet subsidiary, enables drones to carry up to 5 pounds and deliver within a 6‑mile radius. Deliveries are free for Walmart+ members, and the service is designed to meet the demand for small, urgent items such as groceries, medicine, and household essentials.
This expansion is a key element of Walmart’s omnichannel strategy, positioning the retailer to compete more directly with Amazon’s Prime Air and other drone‑delivery initiatives. By extending rapid, last‑mile service to more metro areas, Walmart aims to capture a growing segment of customers who value instant delivery of small items, potentially boosting e‑commerce sales and reinforcing its competitive edge.
Greg Cathey, Walmart’s SVP of Digital Fulfillment Transformation, said the service “plays an important role in our ability to deliver what customers want, exactly when they want it… By expanding drone delivery to new major metro areas, we are helping more customers solve for their last‑minute needs faster than ever before.” Adam Woodworth, CEO of Wing, added that the partnership proves that “small packages can be delivered in minutes, benefiting families.”
The rollout comes amid evolving FAA regulations that are easing restrictions on urban drone operations, giving Walmart a regulatory tailwind. However, challenges such as weather, noise, and privacy concerns remain, and the company is working closely with regulators to address these headwinds.
Adoption data shows that top customers order three times a week, deliveries have tripled in the past six months, and Walmart+ members receive free drone delivery. These figures indicate strong demand and suggest a potential revenue lift from the expanded service.
The expansion is expected to improve last‑mile logistics efficiency, reduce delivery costs per order, and enhance customer satisfaction, reinforcing Walmart’s position in the rapidly evolving retail delivery landscape.
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