The ability to shop for groceries online can be life-changing, particularly if you have kids. Instarcart sometimes marks up store prices, leading some shoppers to wonder does DoorDash deliver for Walmart?
No. DoorDash no longer delivers for Walmart. DoorDash ended its grocery delivery partnership with Walmart in September 2022. This shift reflects DoorDash’s strategy to focus on long-term customer relationships and Walmart’s expansion of its own delivery services, Spark and GoLocal.
But there’s more to know about DoorDash, Walmart, and what the pros and cons are of using this system. So let’s keep going!
Between chauffeuring kids to and from school, sporting events, and birthday parties, life can get pretty hectic.
So you’ve started turning to grocery delivery services to make life just a little easier. You’ve heard about DoorDash, but you prefer to get your groceries from Walmart. And you have some questions.
How do I get groceries delivered from Walmart? Is there a price difference when it comes to using DoorDash versus grocery pickup?
Just keep reading to find out!
How do I get groceries delivered from Walmart?
Getting groceries delivered from Walmart is a straightforward process, ensuring convenience right at your doorstep. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Create an Account: If you don’t already have one, start by creating an account on Walmart’s website or mobile app. This is a quick process requiring basic information like your name, email, and a password.
- Select Your Items: Browse through Walmart’s extensive range of products. You can choose from fresh produce, pantry staples, frozen foods, and more. Add your desired items to your cart. Be sure to check for any specific delivery-only offers or discounts.
- Choose Delivery: Once you’ve filled your cart, proceed to checkout. Here, you’ll have the option to choose ‘Delivery’. You’ll be prompted to enter your delivery address. Ensure it’s accurate to avoid any delivery mishaps.
- Select a Delivery Slot: Walmart offers various delivery slots throughout the day. Pick a time that suits you best. Slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s wise to book early, especially during busy periods.
- Payment: Enter your payment details. Walmart accepts various forms of payment, including major credit/debit cards, Walmart gift cards, and EBT for eligible items. You’ll see the final cost, including any delivery fees (which vary based on the time slot and order size) before you confirm your order.
- Track Your Order: After placing your order, you can track its progress. Walmart will send you updates via email or text, depending on your preference settings.
- Delivery: A Walmart associate or a third-party delivery partner will deliver your groceries. They are typically delivered in bags and left at your doorstep unless you specify otherwise. You can add delivery instructions if you have specific needs, like a gate code or a preferred drop-off location.
- Enjoy Your Groceries: Once your groceries arrive, you’ll receive a notification. All that’s left is to bring them inside and enjoy!
A few additional tips:
- Look out for ‘Substitute’ options while ordering. If an item is out of stock, Walmart can replace it with a similar product.
- Keep an eye on promotions and discounts, especially if you’re a frequent shopper.
- Consider signing up for Walmart+, which offers free delivery on orders above a certain amount, along with other benefits.
Is Spark like DoorDash?
Spark and DoorDash, while both are delivery services, have distinct operational models and focus areas.
Spark is Walmart’s in-house delivery platform, primarily designed for delivering Walmart’s own products, including groceries and general merchandise. In contrast, DoorDash is a third-party delivery service that partners with a wide range of restaurants and retailers to deliver food and other items.
One key difference lies in their service scope.
Spark is dedicated to fulfilling Walmart’s online orders, ensuring that Walmart customers receive their purchases directly from Walmart stores. DoorDash, on the other hand, has a broader scope, delivering meals from various restaurants and goods from different retailers, not limited to a single brand or store.
Another distinction is in their workforce. Spark utilizes a gig economy model similar to DoorDash, where independent contractors, known as Spark Drivers, use their own vehicles to make deliveries.
However, Spark Drivers are primarily focused on fulfilling orders from Walmart, whereas DoorDash drivers, known as Dashers, deliver orders from a multitude of local and national businesses.
In terms of technology and user experience, both platforms operate through apps, allowing drivers to pick up delivery gigs and customers to track their orders. However, the Spark app is tailored to Walmart’s logistics and inventory systems, optimizing the delivery process from Walmart stores to the customer’s doorstep.
While Spark and DoorDash share similarities in using a gig economy model and app-based interfaces, their core focus sets them apart. Spark is an extension of Walmart’s retail ecosystem, designed to streamline Walmart’s online order deliveries. DoorDash, conversely, is a more versatile platform, catering to a wide array of businesses and customer needs beyond a single retailer.
Does Instacart deliver from Walmart?
Instacart, a popular grocery delivery and pick-up service, does not deliver from Walmart.
This is due to the specific partnerships and business models that both companies have chosen to pursue. Walmart, one of the largest retail corporations globally, has its own dedicated delivery services, including its in-house platform, Spark, and other third-party services. On the other hand, Instacart partners with a variety of other retailers but not with Walmart.
Walmart’s approach to online grocery delivery involves using its own resources and selected partnerships that align with its business strategy. This includes developing and expanding its own delivery service, Spark, which employs independent contractors to deliver groceries directly from Walmart stores to customers. Additionally, Walmart has experimented with other delivery partnerships, but Instacart is not among them.
Instacart’s business model involves partnering with various grocery stores and supermarkets across the country.
Their partnerships include major chains like Costco, Aldi, Safeway, and Kroger, among others. Customers using Instacart can shop from these stores online via the Instacart app or website, and then have their groceries delivered by Instacart shoppers.
The absence of a partnership between Walmart and Instacart means that customers looking to have Walmart groceries delivered will need to use Walmart’s own services or other partnered services. For those who prefer shopping via Instacart, they have the option to choose from a wide range of other grocery stores available on the Instacart platform.
Do Walmart employees deliver groceries?
Walmart employees do not typically deliver groceries.
Instead, Walmart relies on a combination of its own delivery platform, Spark, and other third-party delivery services to handle the delivery of groceries and other items. Spark is a platform where independent contractors, known as Spark Drivers, sign up to deliver orders from Walmart to customers.
These drivers are not Walmart employees; they operate similarly to gig workers in other delivery services like DoorDash or Uber Eats.
When a customer places an order for delivery on Walmart’s website or app, the order is packed by Walmart employees in the store. Once the order is ready, a Spark Driver or a driver from another third-party service, depending on Walmart’s current partnerships and the location, will pick up the order and deliver it to the customer’s address.
These drivers use their own vehicles and work on a flexible schedule, choosing when and where they want to deliver.
It’s important to note that while Walmart employees are involved in the process, their role is primarily in the selection and packing of items for the order. The actual delivery process is outsourced to these independent contractors or third-party delivery services.
Walmart’s approach allows them to manage a large volume of online orders efficiently without the need to employ a dedicated fleet of delivery drivers.
This system is beneficial for customers seeking convenience, as it offers a wide range of delivery slots and the ability to track their orders in real-time, all while ensuring that the groceries are handled and delivered by individuals who are specifically signed up for this task.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the landscape of grocery delivery services is constantly evolving, and the relationship between DoorDash and Walmart is a prime example of this dynamic.
As of September 2022, DoorDash ceased its delivery services for Walmart, marking the end of a significant partnership in the retail and delivery industry. This shift underscores a strategic realignment for both companies, with DoorDash focusing on diversifying its partnerships and customer relationships, and Walmart enhancing its own delivery capabilities through platforms like Spark and GoLocal.
The termination of the DoorDash-Walmart partnership reflects a broader trend in the retail sector where companies are increasingly seeking to control their delivery ecosystems.
For Walmart, this means investing in and expanding its own delivery services to better integrate with its vast retail network. For DoorDash, it opens avenues to explore new partnerships and market opportunities, maintaining its position as a versatile delivery service provider.
Customers who have relied on DoorDash for Walmart deliveries will need to adapt to this change.
They can now utilize Walmart’s own delivery services or other third-party providers that Walmart may partner with in the future. This change, while significant, is part of the ever-changing tapestry of online retail and delivery services, highlighting the importance of adaptability and innovation in meeting consumer needs and preferences in the digital age.
Photos that require attribution:
Walmart by Mike Mozart and Hand uses a needle to burst a balloon with DoorDash logo by Marco Verch Professional Photographer and Speaker are licensed under CC2.0
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