Observed Signal · Jun 1, 2026 · Earnings call statement · Source: Retail Dive · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Walmart Speeds Up Store-Fulfilled Deliveries
Walmart told analysts that U.S. store-fulfilled delivery volumes have more than doubled over the past two years as the retailer accelerates delivery speeds. In Q1, over 36% of store deliveries arrived within three hours and sub-hour options grew the fastest. Walmart said it can reach roughly 60% of the U.S. population within 30 minutes, and sales in fast-delivery categories rose over 50% year‑over‑year. Walmart Fulfillment Services saw same-day or next-day units shipped increase nearly 150% in Q1. The company also reported reaching its 1 millionth drone delivery in Q1 and plans to scale drone coverage with partner Wing to more than 270 stores by 2027.
Management comments on an earnings call report meaningful scaling of fast, store‑fulfilled and drone delivery—changes that affect last‑mile logistics, competitive dynamics with Amazon, and retail fulfillment strategies.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- U.S. sales using Walmart's store-fulfilled delivery have more than doubled over the past two years (per John Furner).
- More than 36% of deliveries from stores arrived in three hours or less in Q1 (per John David Rainey).
- Walmart can reach approximately 60% of the U.S. population in 30 minutes or less (per John David Rainey).
- Walmart Fulfillment Services units shipped same day or next day rose nearly 150% in Q1 (per John David Rainey).
- Walmart hit its 1 millionth drone delivery in Q1; drone program operates in 66 locations across four states and is planned to expand to over 270 stores with partner Wing by 2027 (per David Guggina).
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Walmart Expands 30-Minute Delivery to 38 U.S. Markets
Walmart said on its Q2 earnings call that it has expanded its 30-minutes-or-less delivery service to 38 U.S. markets, extending faster fulfillment to millions of customers. The service launched in May across 33 markets and recently added Nashville, Omaha, San Antonio, Wichita and Winter Haven, a Walmart spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive. Walmart charges a $10 fee for the 30-minute option for Walmart+ members, and executives said faster delivery drives higher shopping frequency and membership. In Q2, gross merchandise value for deliveries of three hours or less grew 48% year over year, paid fast deliveries made up 37% of store-fulfilled deliveries, and stores handled last-mile fulfillment for 80% of e-commerce orders. Walmart also reported using automated freight at 3,100 U.S. stores to improve inventory flow and speed.
Retailers Ramp Up Same-Day & Ultra-Fast Delivery
Major retailers and delivery platforms are expanding same-day and ultra-fast fulfillment options. The Home Depot launched a three-hour Express Delivery service leveraging its store network and said it already delivers over 65% of in-stock parcels same or next day. Amazon Prime Air is scaling drone delivery sixfold to reach nearly 500 U.S. markets by the end of 2026, with some orders fulfilled in as little as 30 minutes. Target and Walmart reported significant increases in same-day deliveries on recent earnings calls, with Target citing a 25% rise in same-day delivery and Walmart expanding one-hour and sub-30-minute services. The trend is supported by lower last‑mile costs from gig-economy partners and on-demand delivery partnerships (e.g., Instacart, DoorDash).
Walmart and Wing Add Seven Drone Markets
Alphabet-owned Wing and retailer Walmart announced an expansion of their on-demand drone delivery partnership into seven additional U.S. metro areas — Memphis, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area and Salt Lake City — increasing the companies’ service footprint to nearly 20 U.S. markets. The rollout is part of a broader plan to operate drone deliveries from more than 270 Walmart locations by next year. Wing has completed over 1 million commercial deliveries with Walmart; the drones can deliver in as fast as 30 minutes and travel up to 60 mph. Wing’s chief business officer Heather Rivera said the top 25% of customers use the service about three times per week, indicating sustained consumer adoption beyond novelty use.
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