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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is scaling up its InHome delivery service, with plans to make it available to 30 million households (up from 6 million now) by the end of the year. To that end, the company said that it plans to hire more than 3,000 associate delivery drivers this year and will build out a fleet of all-electric delivery vans.
“We’ve been operating InHome in select markets over the last two years and have found it is a perfect solution for customers who want to live their lives without worrying about making it to the store or being home to accept a delivery,” says Tom Ward, senior vice president of last mile at Walmart U.S. “Identifying ways to help our customers save time and money is our purpose, and nothing showcases that better than InHome delivery, which is why we’re excited to bring the convenience of InHome to even more customers in 2022.”
Walmart’s InHome delivery service launched in 2019 with the aim of offering the most convenient delivery experience possible. Instead of leaving packages on a doorstep, trained associates deliver fresh groceries, everyday essentials and other products directly into customers’ homes, even putting items into their kitchen or garage refrigerators. While they’re at it, the associates will also pick up Walmart.com returns.
Customers who have signed up for the service simply place their orders on the Walmart App and select InHome as their preferred delivery option. Specially trained InHome associates use a one-time access code to unlock the customer’s door or garage through their InHome app, which pairs with smart entry technology. The app notifies the customer at every step of the process, the company said, adding that a camera, worn on the associates’ vest, records the entire delivery process. Customers can view the video of the delivery on their phones for up to a week after it is completed, allowing them to reassure themselves that associates took the appropriate safety measures, including wearing a mask, sanitizing surfaces and locking up.
Walmart’s InHome Delivery service costs $19.95 per month or $148 per year, with no additional fees. (The cost of tips is built into the membership price.) Customers can extend one-time access to their InHome associate using an existing smart lock, a garage keypad, or by purchasing a new smart lock from InHome for $49.95.
The company said that an associate delivery driver is a new, up-and-coming full-time position. InHome drivers are employed by Walmart and receive an extra $1.50 per hour above most current store roles, according to the company, which says the pay differential is designed to attract top talent for the position.
The drivers will use all-electric delivery vans (EVs) in their work. Walmart says the use of EVs supports the retailer’s goal of operating a zero-emissions logistics fleet by 2040.
