Walmart shoppers near Ballantyne can now get groceries, household supplies and over-the-counter medicines dropped from the sky.
The retailer launched drone delivery at seven Charlotte-area stores this week, including the Supercenter at 1830 Galleria Blvd. in southeast Charlotte, the Charlotte Observer first reported. The service, operated by Wing, a drone delivery company owned by Google parent Alphabet, can get orders to doorsteps in as fast as 30 minutes.
Tom Kuhn, Wing's head of communications, demonstrated the service at the Galleria Boulevard location on Tuesday, Oct. 20. He showed off a sample delivery box packed with a costume wig, pumpkin carving tools, a bag of candy, LED lights and Halloween makeup.
"There's no waiting at a red light when you're in the sky," Kuhn told the Observer.
How it works
The 10-pound drones fly autonomously, reserving their own airspace and mapping each route. They carry orders weighing up to about 2.5 pounds within a six-mile range of a participating store.
At the delivery point, each drone hovers about 23 feet above the ground and lowers the package on a tether. Kuhn said customers need a clear area "about the size of a picnic blanket."
Customers within range will see the drone option on the Walmart app or website, according to Walmart. Orders can also be placed through the Wing app, Chain Store Age reported. During checkout, the app prompts shoppers to pick a precise drop spot, such as a driveway or backyard.
Wing told WCNC Charlotte that its drones do not have a live video feed monitored by a pilot during deliveries. A company representative said the aircraft's sensors serve navigation and safety purposes.
Where it's available
Seven stores are live now:
- 1830 Galleria Blvd., Charlotte
- 150 Concord Commons Place SW, Concord
- 223 N. Myrtle School Road, Gastonia
- 2420 Supercenter Drive NE, Kannapolis
- 1011 Shelby Road, Kings Mountain
- 306 N. Generals Blvd., Lincolnton
- 705 E. Dixon Blvd., Shelby
Two more Charlotte locations are coming soon: 9820 Callabridge Court and 3850 E. Independence Blvd. Kuhn told the Observer that more sites will be added in the coming weeks but did not give specific dates.
What it costs
The service is free for a limited time in the Charlotte region, according to Walmart's website. After the promotional period, delivery will cost $19.99 per order for non-members and remain free for Walmart+ members for a limited time. Residents can check whether their address falls within a delivery zone at wing.com/walmart.
Charlotte is the latest metro area in Walmart and Wing's national expansion. The companies aim to reach more than 270 stores with drone delivery by 2027, according to Chain Store Age. Walmart has already launched the service in Dallas-Fort Worth, Orlando and Greater Houston.
