One month after Target acquired delivery startup Shipt in an effort to bring same-day delivery to customers nationwide, the retailer plans to roll out same-day delivery in select Florida markets, CNBC reported.
Target will offer the service first from its stores in the Tampa and South Florida areas on Feb. 1 before expanding to 12 other markets in the state. To fulfill orders in the “Sunshine State,” Shipt plans to hire more than 3,000 shoppers.
“Florida’s growing community of Shipt members continues to be loyal and enthusiastic about the service, and we look forward to expanding throughout the state with our newest retail partner, Target,” Bill Smith, founder and CEO of Shipt, told CNBC.
Beyond Florida, Target is aiming to roll out same-day delivery to most of its stores before the 2018 holiday season. At first, same-day delivery will apply to groceries, essentials, home goods, electronics and other products, but the discount retailer will expand the list of items included in the service over time. By the end of 2019, Target plans to offer same-day delivery for “all major product categories.”
Target acquired Shipt for $550 million in cash in December. At the time, the retailer said it would leverage its stores and Shipt’s proprietary technology platform and community of shoppers to bring same-day delivery to Target customers around the country. The acquisition “significantly accelerates” Target’s digital fulfillment efforts and will allow Target to bring same-day delivery to about half of its stores by the early part of 2018.
In addition to Target, Walmart has rolled out same-day delivery through a partnership with last-mile delivery provider Deliv, a Menlo Park-based startup. Customers will be able to shop online and schedule deliveries between 8:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. on any day of the week, the companies announced last year. A signature will be required upon receipt.
Walmart also tested in-home delivery of packages and direct-to-fridge grocery delivery, a concept that many found convenient, if not a little creepy.