Walmart Surpasses Amazon in Same-Day Prescription Delivery

Walmart Outpaces Amazon in Same-Day Prescription Delivery Expansion

Walmart is rapidly expanding its Same-Day Pharmacy Delivery service, now available in 49 states, surpassing Amazon Pharmacy in the race for faster pharmaceutical deliveries. This expansion follows Walmart’s decision to close 51 health clinics and end its telehealth services earlier in the year, signaling a strategic shift in its healthcare business.

Tech-Driven Expansion

The Same-Day Delivery service is powered by Walmart’s AI-driven platform, Spark Delivery, which leverages geospatial technology for more efficient delivery organization. This technology customizes delivery zones for each store based on customer insights and external data, moving beyond traditional zip codes and store proximity methods. As a result, the service is now available to 12 million more households, and the company aims to bring it to even more customers in the future.

Pharmacy Industry Shakeup

Walmart’s move comes at a time when major pharmacy players are facing competition from tech giants. In particular, Amazon is ramping up its pharmacy fulfillment centers, with plans to cover 45% of customers by the end of 2025. Despite Amazon’s rapid growth in this sector, Walmart is currently ahead in offering same-day pharmaceutical delivery, a key offering that further integrates its pharmacy operations with its broader retail business.

Meanwhile, other companies like Walgreens and CVS are feeling the pressure as they compete with the likes of Amazon, Kroger, and other large players in the healthcare space. Walmart’s innovative approach to delivery, powered by AI and cloud technology, positions it as a leading contender in the evolving pharmacy and retail landscape.

Competitive Landscape

• Amazon plans to open 20 new brick-and-mortar pharmacy locations in metro areas across the U.S. in 2025.
• Kroger is reshaping its pharmacy operations, recently selling its specialty pharmacy business, CarelonRX, to Elevance Health for $464 million.

As Walmart continues to build on its tech-powered delivery platform, the competition for same-day prescription delivery is intensifying, with each retailer looking to streamline and modernize its pharmacy operations to capture more market share.