Amazon has expanded Whole Foods delivery to 10 additional cities, and added more neighborhoods to its existing service areas in New York City, Los Angeles and Dallas/Ft. Worth. The retailer now offers delivery in 38 U.S. cities, with further growth planned for the remainder of 2018.
Shoppers in Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C., Las Vegas, Memphis and Nashville, Tenn., New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Seattle, Tucson, Ariz. can order groceries through Prime Now. Select alcohol also is available for delivery in New York City, Los Angeles, Charlotte, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Raleigh and Seattle.
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The presence of grocery delivery has been growing rapidly, particularly among big box retailers. Walmart currently is piloting a last mile service called Spark Delivery in Nashville and New Orleans, with plans to expand the program to other metro areas. The retail giant also partnered with DoorDash and Postmates earlier this year for third-party delivery, and is aiming to extend grocery delivery services to 40% of U.S. households and 100 metro areas by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Target has rolled out same-day grocery delivery from more than 1,100 stores in 160 markets. The company will continue to expand to new markets and plans to reach 65% of U.S. households by the 2018 holiday season.
Supermarket chains are enhancing their delivery options as well. Kroger has been expanding its partnership with Instacart, with plans to bring same-day delivery to 75 additional markets by October 2018. The retailer also launched Kroger Ship, an in-house grocery delivery service that offers a selection of 55,000 products, and is currently testing an automated delivery vehicle in Arizona.
Albertsons Co. has formed its own partnership with Instacart in the form of O Organics Market, a virtual grocery store. The service launched in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. with early 3,800 organic, natural and other better-for-you foods, beverages and grocery items available for delivery.
