On Tuesday, Walmart, a key player in the retail industry, announced its plans to incorporate parcel stations into its online fulfillment centers. This strategic move aims to capitalize on the increasing demand for swift deliveries as the holiday shopping season approaches.
The move comes ahead of the pivotal Cyber Week shopping period, spanning Thanksgiving, Black Friday on Nov. 24, and Cyber Monday on Nov. 27. According to data from Adobe Analytics, online spending in the United States during this period is expected to reach $37.2 billion.
In a blog post, the company announced its goal to establish more than 40 parcel stations by the year’s end. Many of these stations are set to be operational in time for the holiday season, facilitating next-day deliveries for online shopping orders.
Walmart’s effort to accelerate deliveries reflects a substantial investment, mirroring e-commerce giant Amazon’s initiatives at its fulfillment centers. The aim is to offer faster and more cost-effective deliveries, encouraging increased frequency and larger orders from customers.
Nevertheless, consumers cautious about inflation and eager to make the most of their holiday budgets are hesitant about shelling out extra money for expedited shipping during this shopping season.
In a survey conducted by Adobe Analytics, 61% of respondents indicated a reluctance to pay for expedited shipping. Instead, they preferred the option of curbside pick-up, even for last-minute Christmas Eve purchases.
Walmart and Amazon both expressed caution regarding holiday spending this year, citing persistent inflation as a factor dampening consumer sentiment towards discretionary expenditures.