Kate Leinbaugh

Why does Walmart see fast grocery delivery as their edge?

To achieve this dream of same-day grocery delivery, in 2018, Walmart launched an app with its own network of freelance drivers.

To achieve this dream of same-day grocery delivery, in 2018, Walmart launched an app with its own network of freelance drivers.

To achieve this dream of same-day grocery delivery, in 2018, Walmart launched an app with its own network of freelance drivers.

Spark was working, and more and more of Walmart's orders were delivered via the app. But the app had limitations, namely in how it mapped out delivery areas for drivers. Spark started out using zip codes, but Walmart wanted it to be more precise.

Spark was working, and more and more of Walmart's orders were delivered via the app. But the app had limitations, namely in how it mapped out delivery areas for drivers. Spark started out using zip codes, but Walmart wanted it to be more precise.

Spark was working, and more and more of Walmart's orders were delivered via the app. But the app had limitations, namely in how it mapped out delivery areas for drivers. Spark started out using zip codes, but Walmart wanted it to be more precise.

Spark is now responsible for over 80% of Walmart's deliveries. And its stores, once considered the company's Achilles heel, have now become an asset. Sarah, who 10 years ago thought she was on the inevitable decline of Walmart beat, recently listened to the company's earnings call. She was surprised to hear that today, Walmart is able to do same-day delivery to 93% of American households.

Spark is now responsible for over 80% of Walmart's deliveries. And its stores, once considered the company's Achilles heel, have now become an asset. Sarah, who 10 years ago thought she was on the inevitable decline of Walmart beat, recently listened to the company's earnings call. She was surprised to hear that today, Walmart is able to do same-day delivery to 93% of American households.

Spark is now responsible for over 80% of Walmart's deliveries. And its stores, once considered the company's Achilles heel, have now become an asset. Sarah, who 10 years ago thought she was on the inevitable decline of Walmart beat, recently listened to the company's earnings call. She was surprised to hear that today, Walmart is able to do same-day delivery to 93% of American households.

Why is Amazon struggling to compete in fast grocery delivery?

Why is Amazon struggling to compete in fast grocery delivery?

Why is Amazon struggling to compete in fast grocery delivery?

But Amazon does have a national grocery retailer. It has Whole Foods. Yeah.

But Amazon does have a national grocery retailer. It has Whole Foods. Yeah.

But Amazon does have a national grocery retailer. It has Whole Foods. Yeah.

Unlike Walmart, Whole Foods has a more limited grocery selection. As a natural and organic supermarket, it doesn't sell brands like Cheerios or Doritos.

Unlike Walmart, Whole Foods has a more limited grocery selection. As a natural and organic supermarket, it doesn't sell brands like Cheerios or Doritos.

Unlike Walmart, Whole Foods has a more limited grocery selection. As a natural and organic supermarket, it doesn't sell brands like Cheerios or Doritos.

After a decade-long push, Walmart has a 9% share of U.S. e-commerce sales. Amazon, has 41%. And Walmart's online business, as a standalone operation, isn't profitable. How do they justify it?