Walmart brings online delivery to mid-sized grocers

Walmart is expanding the reach of its white label GoLocal delivery service.

The discount titan, which launched Walmart GoLocal to deliver goods to customers of other businesses in August 2021, is partnering with e-commerce platform provider Cognetry Labs to provide an integrated white label, turnkey e-commerce delivery solution to mid-sized and independent grocery retailers. Cognetry Labs will leverage Walmart GoLocal’s network of delivery capabilities to offer the service to its retail clients.

As a result, Cognetry clients will have access to nationwide, high-capacity coverage to deliver products the same day they are ordered. Walmart GoLocal’s built-in capabilities allow retailers to expand both coverage and capacity on demand.

The GoLocal service is built on the existing infrastructure supporting the Express Delivery same-day delivery service Walmart rolled out in 2020. This includes drones, autonomous vehicles and market fulfillment centers. The white-label delivery-as-a-service offering includes nationwide delivery capabilities on a range of assortment, including those with size and complex requirements, as well as the flexibility to meet varying timelines. 

According to Walmart, GoLocal is an important part of its overall strategy, which includes diversifying its revenue streams and profit pools with initiatives like the Walmart Connect third-party ad platform and Walmart Fulfillment Services network for third-party marketplace sellers. Since its initial launch, The Home Depot became the first retailer to sign on with GoLocal, in October 2021. The Home Depot service is limited to items that easily fit in a car such as fasteners, paint and small tools.

In addition, just in time for the holiday rush in December 2021, Chico’s FAS began enabling customers across its Chico's, White House | Black Market, and Soma banners to have online orders delivered to their homes in as little as two hours with Walmart GoLocal. 

“Walmart GoLocal and Cognetry Labs have a shared priority of supporting mid-sized and independent businesses and providing efficient, reliable delivery to families in communities across the country,” said Harsit Patel, GM of Walmart GoLocal. “This is one way we deliver on Walmart GoLocal’s brand promise to bring affordable access to products and services to customers while also empowering businesses to grow using our capabilities and coverage. The fully integrated solution with Cognetry Labs plus Walmart GoLocal drives value to our customers and addresses real needs of mid-market retailers.”

“The partnership with Walmart GoLocal, and the integration of our two platforms, levels the playing field for mid-sized and regional retail chains to compete for customers buying online,” said Cognetry Labs Inc. VP sales & customer success Ryan Maurer. “Cognetry Labs lets retailers know that with the right technology partner, you can get online quickly and grow profitably. Cognetry Labs plus Walmart GoLocal last-mile delivery, enables retailers nationwide a turnkey competitive response in owning their e-commerce and delivery solution.”

Walmart operates approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 48 banners in 24 countries and e-commerce websites. Cognetry Labs clients include Ideal Food Basket and Shipyard Brewing Co.