WALMART has raised the bar for customer convenience as the company is set to make a major change to all its 4,600 stores by January.
The retail giant announced the launch of its new nationwide same-day pharmacy delivery service, which integrates prescription medications and general merchandise into a single order.
Walmart is set to make a major change to all its 4,600 stores[/caption]
Shoppers will soon enjoy same-day pharmacy delivery service[/caption]
Set to be available at all Walmart locations with pharmacies by January 2025, this new service is expected to reach millions of customers in 49 states, transforming how Americans manage their healthcare needs.
The program, which is already live in six states — Arkansas, Missouri, New York, Nevada, South Carolina, and Wisconsin — will soon be accessible to 86% of U.S. households.
Customers will be able to have their prescriptions delivered alongside everyday items such as groceries or household essentials, providing a one-stop, streamlined shopping experience.
Walmart’s new Pharmacy Delivery service caters to both new prescriptions and refills.
The company’s extensive infrastructure, with nearly 4,600 stores, enables this service to be delivered efficiently, adding another layer of convenience for families, seniors, and those with chronic conditions who need timely access to medications.
Meeting customer demand
According to Walmart, customer demand for prescription delivery has been growing rapidly.
In a recent survey, 55% of respondents expressed interest in receiving their prescriptions delivered with their regular shopping orders.
This was the most-requested service among busy families looking to save time on errands.
“Our extensive footprint across the nation, combined with our deep expertise in pharmacy, uniquely positions us to make a profound impact in the communities we serve,” said Kevin Host, Walmart U.S. senior vice president of Pharmacy.
He added that Walmart’s latest offering not only serves customers better but also gives the company’s pharmacies more capacity to focus on high-touch health services.
Seamless delivery
Customers can access the Pharmacy Delivery service via the Walmart app or website.
Whether they need medications, groceries, or other household items, all can now be ordered in one seamless transaction.
Walmart is offering several delivery options.
These include: Same-Day Scheduled Delivery, allowing customers to choose the time that best fits their schedule; and On-Demand and Express Delivery, expected soon, which will allow customers to receive prescriptions within hours or, in some cases, as quickly as 30 minutes.
The service applies to new and existing prescriptions, with insurance coverage processed just as it would be in-store. For Walmart+ members, the service is free, while non-members will pay a standard delivery fee of $9.95.
Safety first
Medications delivered through this service will be securely packaged in tamper-evident materials, with prescriptions verified by licensed pharmacists, according to Walmart.
Customers will also have the ability to track their orders in real-time and will receive photo confirmation upon delivery, ensuring peace of mind with every order.
Tom Ward, executive vice president and chief eCommerce officer for Walmart U.S., said: “If you’re sick, we can deliver the necessary medicine along with everything else you need to feel better: cough drops, a heating pad, blanket, and orange juice.”
Walmart’s prescription and medication services
WALMART’S prescription and medication services include a wide range of offerings designed to make healthcare more accessible and convenient for customers.
These services are available through the nearly 4,600 Walmart pharmacies across the U.S. and include:
Prescription Filling and Refills: Walmart provides both new prescription filling and medication refills, making it easy for customers to manage their ongoing healthcare needs.
Prescriptions can be ordered in-store, online, or through the Walmart app.
Pharmacy Delivery: Walmart offers delivery of prescriptions directly to customers’ homes.
By January 2025, this service will be integrated with Walmart’s general merchandise delivery, allowing customers to receive prescriptions alongside groceries and household items.
Same-day delivery, on-demand delivery, and express delivery options will be available, offering maximum flexibility.
Affordable Prescription Programs: Walmart offers a $4 generic drug program, providing customers with low-cost access to hundreds of common medications.
This service helps ensure that even those without insurance can afford necessary treatments.
Immunizations and Vaccines: Walmart pharmacies administer a variety of vaccines, including flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, and others, making it convenient for customers to stay up-to-date on their immunizations.
Health Screenings and Wellness Services: In addition to filling prescriptions, Walmart pharmacists provide health screenings, wellness advice, and consultations.
They can help manage chronic conditions like diabetes, blood pressure, and more.
Medication Therapy Management: Walmart pharmacists offer consultations to help customers manage their medications, understand potential drug interactions, and ensure they are taking medications safely and effectively.
Pet Medications: Walmart also offers prescription services for pets, allowing customers to fill veterinary prescriptions at the same time as their own medications.
It comes as Walmart dropped a new return policy and urged shoppers to watch out for an important date.
The new policy, already in action, gives shoppers three months to return their items.
Walmart said: “From October 1 through December 31, 2024, all items purchased in-store or online can be returned until January 31, 2025.”
This generous returns window will be automatically updated on the shopper’s listings, along with some general returns advice.
Amazon offered a similar policy during the pandemic, giving customers a four-month window to return their items.
But this year, Amazon’s window begins on November 1 and finishes on December 31, 2024.
So shoppers have until January 31, 2025, to return their items.
But Apple brand products bought from Amazon must be returned by January 15, 2025.
Usually, sellers aren’t big on wide return windows as it allows someone who bought a Halloween costume to return it after New Year’s.
However, sellers tend to provide them to boost shopper satisfaction.
Customers can access the Pharmacy Delivery service via the Walmart app or website[/caption]
