Walmart makes InHome grocery delivery an add-on to Walmart+

Walmart is bringing its “food to fridge” InHome Delivery Service into the fold of its Walmart customer benefits program.

Bentonville, Ark.-based Walmart said Wednesday that InHome delivery is now an optional add-on within the nearly two-year-old Walmart membership program. The company noted that the move blends two stand-alone subscriptions into one experience and gives members more choice in selecting the membership plan offering the type of delivery service they want.

Walmart members, including those subscribed for $98 per year or $12.95 per month, can add unlimited, no-fee and tip-free InHome delivery for another $7 per month or $40 per year, Walmart said. Those prices translated into $138 annually for both services, or $10 less than previous annual pricing when Walmart and InHome were separate memberships, the company reported, adding that new customers who sign up for both services also get the lower rate of the combined programs. 

The Walmart program has been a catalyst for Walmart as the retailer has seen its online sales grow 38% over the last two years.

According to Walmart, the move to bring InHome under the Walmart umbrella reflects customer feedback, as shoppers asked to be able to complete all their membership needs in one place, whether that involves signing up for a 30-day Walmart trial, purchasing their membership or opting to “Plus Up” to InHome delivery.    

Related:Walmart pumps up fuel discount for Walmart+ members

“When Walmart members ask for something, we work around the clock to make it happen for them,” Chris Cracchiolo, senior vice president and general manager of Walmart . “Our members want options and a shopping experience that is easy to navigate and accommodates their individual needs, while saving them time and mon. This is true now more than ever.” 

Walmart , launched in mid-September 2020, offers members unlimited, free same-day grocery delivery from stores ($35 order minimum); free shipping (no order minimum) and an array of shopping tools such as Scan & Go contactless checkout (via the Walmart app) for $98 per year, or $12.95 a month. Other benefits include prescription drug savings, member-exclusive pricing and deals, and early access to promotions like Black Friday and new product releases. Walmart members also are eligible for six months of the Spotify Premium music streaming service at no cost.

This past April, Walmart boosted the Walmart fuel benefits. Members now get an instant discount of up to 10 cents on each gallon of fuel they buy at participating gas stations. Walmart also has added 12,000 Exxon and Mobil stations to the Walmart fuel benefit, a more than sixfold increase that made the discount available at more than 14,000 stations in 48 states. Overall, Walmart customers can save 10 cents per gallon at participating Exxon and Mobil fuel stations and 5 cents to 10 cents per gallon at Walmart and Murphy USA gas stations. Member pricing also is available at more than 500 Sam’s Club locations.

Related:Walmart ramps up expansion of InHome delivery

Fuel discounts have become a linchpin of Walmart customer benefits, and Walmart recently added to its perks at the pump.

In announcing the addition of InHome delivery to Walmart , Walmart also said it’s expanding InHome access to several new markets, including Miami, Tampa and Orlando, Fla.; Dallas and Austin, Texas; and San Jose and San Francisco, Calif., which the retailer said nearly doubles the service’s footprint. 

Earlier this year, Walmart had unveiled plans to extend InHome’s reach from 6 million U.S. households to 30 million households by the end of 2022. To that end, the company said it aimed to add more than 3,000 associate delivery drivers this year and build out a fleet of 100% all-electric delivery vans.

InHome delivery went live in October 2019 after Walmart unveiled plans for the “food aisle to fridge” service in June. To use InHome, customers sign up for the service and begin placing orders via the Walmart mobile app or grocery.walmart.com. Next, at checkout, they select InHome as the delivery option, choose a delivery day and designate a home entry point, either the front door or garage.

Upon arrival, delivery associates use a one-time access code to unlock the door or garage through their InHome app, which pairs with smart entry technology. Delivery staff also don a camera on their vests that records the delivery, from entry to the home to the stocking of the refrigerator and to when they leave and lock up. Customers can access the recording via their phones for up to a week after each delivery.

On its own, InHome delivery cost $19.95 per month or $148 per year and carries no additional fees, Walmart said. Customers can extend one-time access to their InHome associate using an existing smart lock, a garage keypad or by purchasing a new smart lock from InHome for $49.95.  

“We know how much InHome members love this service. They see the same familiar faces and build real relationships with our associates, who help them get through their busy weeks,” Whitney Pegden, vice president and general manager of InHome, commented on Wednesday. “InHome has one of the highest customer-experience ratings in the business, and now we’ve made it even easier to access in even more locations as we grow to reach over 30 million households by the end of the year.”    

Walmart added that its e-commerce sales have grown by 38% over the last two years, and the company continues to invest in its delivery operations and experience. That includes plans to bolster delivery slot capacity by 35% this year to meet demand and enter new markets, the retailer said.