Walmart is significantly expanding its drone delivery service, partnering with Wing (a subsidiary of Google's parent company, Alphabet) to launch from 150 additional stores in the coming year. This expansion aims to reach over 40 million people and provide faster service for groceries and other store items.
The expansion builds upon existing drone delivery operations in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta metro areas. Walmart plans to launch drone deliveries in Houston on January 15, 2026, and also include Orlando and Tampa, Florida; and Charlotte, North Carolina, in the near future. Furthermore, Walmart plans to extend its drone delivery network to major metropolitan hubs including Los Angeles, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Miami. The goal is to establish a network of over 270 drone delivery locations stretching from Los Angeles to Miami by the end of 2027.
Greg Cathey, Senior Vice President of Digital Fulfillment Transformation at Walmart, emphasized that drone delivery plays an important role in meeting customer's needs by delivering what they want, exactly when they want it. He noted the strong customer adoption and enthusiasm for the added convenience, whether it's a last-minute dinner ingredient, a phone charger, or a late-night essential.
Wing's drones can fly up to 60 mph and travel up to 12 miles round trip, carrying goods weighing up to 5 pounds. These drones are designed to carry items typically requested for rapid delivery. Customers can check if Wing drone delivery is available at their location by entering their address in the Wing app or website. Walmart has stated that customers can receive deliveries in as fast as 30 minutes.
The expansion is viewed as a move to compete with Amazon and other retailers in the race for faster delivery times, driven by increasing consumer demand. Other companies utilizing drones for delivery include DoorDash.
Walmart's initial partnership with Wing was announced in 2023 and after ending partnership with DroneUp, this expansion with Wing signifies a major commitment to drone delivery as a key part of its e-commerce strategy.
