Retail giant Walmart has announced plans to expand its drone delivery service to Houston, continuing to innovate how customers receive their purchases.
Walmart’s Drone Delivery Growth
Walmart first launched its drone delivery service in 2021, initially operating in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Bentonville, Arkansas, where the company is headquartered. Now, the company plans to extend the service to 100 additional stores across Houston, Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando, and Tampa.
A Walmart spokesperson confirmed that drone delivery in Houston will be introduced in phases over the next year, though specific store locations have yet to be finalized.
Partnership with Wing and FAA Compliance
Walmart’s drone delivery operates in partnership with Wing, a drone provider owned by Alphabet, Google’s parent company. Wing’s drones comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and can travel up to six miles from the store.
Wing CEO Adam Woodworth described the service as “real drone delivery at scale,” highlighting how Dallas-Fort Worth residents have integrated drone delivery into their shopping habits. He expressed excitement about expanding the ultra-fast delivery experience to millions more customers in new cities.
Fast Delivery and Popular Products
Walmart’s drone delivery offers thousands of products that can be delivered directly to customers’ doors in 30 minutes or less. The company has completed over 150,000 deliveries so far, with popular items including fresh produce, eggs, ice cream, and pet food.
Greg Cathey, Walmart’s Vice President of U.S. Transformation and Innovation, said: “As we look ahead, drone delivery will remain a key part of our commitment to redefining retail. This expansion marks a significant milestone in that journey.”
How to Access the Service in Houston
Houston residents interested in drone delivery can visit Wing’s website to sign up for notifications when the service becomes available.
Competitor Amazon’s Experience in Texas
Walmart is not the only retailer exploring drone delivery in Texas. In 2023, Amazon launched its Prime Air drone delivery in College Station. However, Amazon decided not to renew its lease less than two years later, partly due to noise complaints from residents. The College Station City Council also denied Amazon’s request to expand its drone services.
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