Walmart has launched drone grocery delivery in Bartlett, Cordova and West Memphis, giving shoppers in those communities another way to receive essential items without making a trip to the store. The service is offered through Walmart’s partnership with Wing, a drone delivery network.
Officials say thousands of essential items are available for delivery by air, with orders arriving in 30 minutes or less. The launch marks Wing’s first drone deliveries in Tennessee. For customers whose addresses are covered, the service offers an alternative to driving through traffic and shopping in the grocery aisles.
At the Walmart on Highway 64 in Bartlett, shopper Tim Heeren welcomed the development. “I think it’s pretty cool, man,” he said. Heeren also said he expected the technology to become a useful delivery option as it is refined, expressing optimism about its potential for people receiving orders at home.
Wing says its drones travel at about 60 miles per hour and cruise roughly 200 feet above the ground. The aircraft use a different approach once they reach a customer’s home: they hover at around 23 feet and gently lower the package. According to company officials, that process is intended to keep eggs from breaking and drinks from spilling during delivery.
The amount each drone can carry is currently limited to just under 3 pounds, according to the company. Wing says that capacity will eventually rise to 5 pounds. Those weight limits accompany a service that officials describe as offering access to thousands of Walmart essentials, delivered directly to customers by air.
Another shopper at the same Bartlett store, Diane Macklie, raised a concern about the possibility of an accident. “Only thing I’d be worried about is if it crashed, but other than that, no,” she said. Her concern contrasted with Heeren’s enthusiasm for the new delivery option.
Memphis is among several markets being added to the Walmart and Wing drone delivery program. The companies say they intend to expand their reach to nearly 20 major metropolitan areas across the United States by 2027.
Drone delivery costs $19.99 for each order. Customers can use the Walmart app or visit wing.com/walmart to check whether the service is available at their address.
