The New Era of Same-Day and Expedited Delivery
Walmart has set a new standard for rapid delivery, with CEO John Furner stating that “a large number” of e-commerce orders are now delivered in under 30 minutes, and the company is averaging deliveries within an hour through its Express Delivery service. This level of speed has been achieved through significant investments into automation and store fulfillment capabilities, allowing Walmart to meet customer demands for quick delivery times without compromising on product availability or quality.
This rapid delivery capability is part of a broader trend in retail towards meeting consumer expectations for fast and convenient shopping experiences. The success of services like Amazon Prime Now and UberEats has pushed other retailers to innovate, with Walmart stepping up its game significantly over the past year. In Q4 2025 alone, expedited store-fulfilled delivery sales grew by more than 50%, highlighting consumer preference for fast deliveries.
The Impact of Automation on Supply Chain Efficiency
Automation plays a pivotal role in Walmart’s ability to deliver orders so quickly. The company is retrofitting dozens of distribution centers with robotics and automation technologies, targeting completion by 2030. Approximately 60% of stores are now receiving some freight from automated distribution centers, while about 50% of e-commerce fulfillment center volume is automated.
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