USA: Walmart launches new last mile delivery pilot

Walmart has launched a new last-mile delivery pilot – Spark Delivery – a crowd-sourced delivery platform that provides independent drivers with the ability to sign up for windows of time that work best for their schedule.

Components of Spark are powered by Bringg, a delivery logistics technology platform. Walmart’s team of personal shoppers shop for customers’ orders. Spark Delivery engages the services of independent drivers who partner with Delivery Drivers, Inc, a firm specialising in last-mile contractor management, to complete deliveries.

Greg Foran, president and CEO of Walmart US, said: “We’re saving customers time by leveraging new technology, and connecting all the parts of our business into a single seamless shopping experience: great stores, easy pickup, fast delivery, and apps and websites that are simple to use. We’re serving our customers in ways that no one else can. Using our size and scale, we’re bringing the best of Walmart to customers across the country. Spark Delivery is one way we’re exploring how to get quality groceries from our door to our customers’ doors.”

Spark Delivery is currently being piloted in Nashville and New Orleans (USA) with plans to roll out to a few more metro areas this year.