The online grocer-to-table movement gained steam Tuesday when Walmart and Instacart made public their partnership to offer same-day delivery in select U.S. markets.
The alliance aims to challenge Amazon’s collaboration with Whole Foods and is currently operating as a pilot program in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and three California markets only, CNBC reported.
In addition to capturing rising demand for same-day grocery delivery created by the novel coronavirus pandemic, some analysts believe the shift to online grocers could become permanent for many consumers, the network reported.
“The new partnership brings thousands of items — from groceries, alcohol and pantry staples to home decor and improvement, personal care, electronics and more — at everyday low prices from Walmart stores to customers’ doors in as fast as an hour,” an Instacart spokesperson said in a statement, noting the California markets being served include Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.
Walmart is the latest major retailer to join forces with Instacart, following Albertsons, Aldi, Costco, Kroger, Sam’s Club and Target.
All told, Instacart partners with 400 national, regional and local retailers across North America to deliver from more than 30,000 stores, Fox Business reported.
“Customers love the value we bring with pickup and delivery,” a Walmart spokesperson told the network in an emailed statement. “They’ve turned to us during the pandemic to bring them their goods safely and easily.”