Walmart Store Employees Might Start Delivering Online Orders

Walmart is testing a program that would let its employees deliver packages ordered on the store’s website after they finish their shifts.

Reuters reports that the program could be a way for the retailer to compete with rival Amazon.com, as it will cut shipping costs, speed the delivery of packages and allow workers to earn additional money.

Walmart’s stores are within 10 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population. “Imagine all the routes our associates drive to and from work and the houses they pass along the way. It’s easy to see why this test could be a game changer,” said Marc Lore, head of Walmart’s eCommerce operations.

Since he joined in August, Lore has overseen Walmart’s acquisition of three online retailers — including the $3 billion purchase of his former company, Jet.com — and made other eCommerce changes. Walmart now offers free two-day shipping on online orders above $35, without any membership fees, to compete with Amazon’s popular Prime shipping program.

The company explained that the trucks used to deliver eCommerce packages to a retail location for store pickup can also bring additional orders a worker can sign-up to deliver. The program is voluntary for store workers and allows them to sign-up for a maximum of 10 deliveries a day.

The test is currently limited to three stores in New Jersey and Arkansas.