Aiming to increase the number of items that can be shipped in two days, Walmart announced Tuesday (Oct. 23) that it is working with its marketplace sellers to make millions of products available for free two-day shipping without the need for a membership fee.
In a blog post, Scott Hilton, chief revenue officer for Walmart eCommerce U.S., said that in addition to expanding the number of items that will get free two-day shipping, it is simplifying the returns process for items purchased from marketplace sellers, including the ability to start the return process at any of Walmart’s 4,700 stores. The enhancements will start rolling out in November in time for the holiday shopping season.
“Two years ago, we launched free two-day shipping with no membership fee on millions of items that customers buy the most on Walmart.com. Customers love the offer and the ability to get products quickly without having to pay an annual fee,” wrote Hilton. “In the coming months, you will see millions of additional items with the free two-day shipping label as we work with hundreds of our high-performing marketplace sellers to extend the offer to their eligible items.” Walmart noted that the free two-day shipping applies to orders of more than $35.
The expanded free two-day shipping is the latest in a series of moves by the retailer to better compete against Amazon. Earlier this month, in an effort to bring a specialty auto parts store to its website, Walmart announced it is teaming up with Advance Auto Parts. Through the tie-up, the retailer will offer auto parts products and accessories such as tires in Walmart Auto Care Centers as well as online, CNBC reported.
Walmart eCommerce Vice President of Retail Merchandising Phillip Oaks said, “This year, we’ve been incredibly focused on building our offering on Walmart.com to ensure we have the specialty assortment that our customers are looking for. This comprehensive partnership will enhance almost every aspect of the automotive customer shopping experience — from the product offering online to fulfillment capabilities.”
With the new partnership, consumers will be able to use same-day pickup as well as home delivery through the brick-and-mortar stores of Advance Auto Parts and Walmart. In all, Advance Auto Parts has a headcount of 70,000 employees and a brick-and-mortar footprint of 6,400 stores.
We’re always on the lookout for opportunities to partner with innovators and disruptors.
Learn More