What: Walmart is leveraging rapid last-mile delivery and new app features to reach 95% of U.S. households within three hours, targeting last-minute holiday shoppers.

Why it is important: Rapid last-mile delivery is reshaping consumer expectations and driving the shift toward omnichannel fulfilment in the retail sector.

Walmart is raising the bar for holiday fulfilment by offering one-hour Express delivery for last-minute shoppers, including on Christmas Eve, and reaching 95% of U.S. households within three hours. The retailer’s “Get it Now” app feature allows customers to see real-time delivery estimates and place orders with a single tap, underscoring the company’s commitment to speed and convenience. These improvements are part of Walmart’s broader strategy to compete with Amazon and other major retailers, as rapid delivery becomes a key battleground for customer loyalty. In Q3 2025, 35% of Walmart’s digital orders were delivered in under three hours, reflecting the growing consumer expectation for instant gratification, especially during peak shopping periods. Other retailers, including Best Buy, Dollar General, Old Navy, Ulta Beauty, and Family Dollar, are also expanding same-day delivery through partnerships with platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash. As e-commerce sales rise and in-store foot traffic declines, the ability to deliver quickly and reliably is increasingly essential for capturing last-minute and holiday demand.

IADS Notes: Walmart’s rapid delivery and last-mile innovation are well documented in recent IADS sources, which highlight the retailer’s transformation into a tech-driven omnichannel leader. As detailed by Retail Dive in June 2025, Walmart’s pilot of dark stores for online order fulfilment has enabled the company to reach 95% of the U.S. population within three hours, marking a significant leap in delivery speed and operational efficiency. The Financial Times (November 2025, February 2025) and WWD (February 2025) further confirm that Walmart’s investments in automation, AI, and e-commerce have revitalized its business, quadrupling its stock price and positioning it to compete directly with Amazon. Store Brands (November 2025) notes that Walmart’s rollout of AI-powered shopping tools and partnerships with OpenAI have set new standards for digital engagement and customer experience, with 35% of digital orders delivered in under three hours in Q3 2025. These developments underscore how Walmart’s focus on last-mile delivery, technology integration, and omnichannel fulfillment has not only driven record-breaking results but also redefined consumer expectations for speed and convenience in retail.

Walmart touts delivery for last-minute gifts