US: Walmart testing new e-commerce pick-up concept | Progresiv
Walmart has launched two ‘Pickup and Fuel’ format stores as part of its continued push into grocery ecommerce in Huntsville, Alabama and Denver, Colorado. 
This new 4,000 sq ft concept from Walmart combines a core convenience-led offer, fuel, and drive-thru pickup for both grocery products and non-food items from Walmart.com. The convenience range is similar to the enhanced offer that the retailer introduced at its recently opened fuel locations, following its decision earlier this year to build and operate its own fuel sites, having previously partnered with Murphy USA. The convenience range includes snack foods, hot food-to-go and cold and hot drinks.
The retailer has also launched a dedicated convenience format previously in the US, opening ‘Walmart to go’ in Bentonville in 2014. Although this single store continues to trade, it is unlikely to lead to a broader roll-out, however, it will continue to function as an important test location. This site is supported by a local Supercenter for product replenishment, similar to the setup for the new 'Pickup and Fuel' stores where orders are fulfilled locally. In the UK, Asda-Walmart has also pushed into the fuel sector with several standalone sites which also enable shoppers to collect online orders.
This development comes as Walmart aggressively expands its grocery ecommerce pickup service, with the roll-out expected to reach 600 locations by the end of the year. The new ‘Pickup and Fuel’ format enables the retailer to stretch its footprint into additional locations beyond the reach of its existing store network, and offer its shoppers an added level of convenience. It continues to receive positive feedback for its grocery ecommerce pickup service. It also demonstrates the innovation which Walmart is driving within its ecommerce business as part of its plans to deliver stronger growth from the channel and continue with its transformation to be a more digitally enabled business. (www.igd.com)
