BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The nation's largest grocery retailer says they have increased the number of "personal shoppers" on staff to serve a growing number of customers using the company's pickup and delivery options.
Walmart said they now have over 157,000 on staff to fill such orders, up from "just a few hundred" as recently as six years ago.
Besides groceries, orders for holiday gifts are also being handled by the company's shoppers.
"Our stores have really focused on convenience over the last few years, and that’s allowed us to quickly shift to the changing needs of our customers," said Tom Ward, Walmart's senior vice president for customer product.
The company touts their pickup and delivery options as time-saving services for customers and say they have doubled the number of employees assigned to it since last year.
The company lists the following as alternatives to in-store shopping:
- Free curbside pickup with a reserved time.
- Delivery to customers with a fee of $7.95 or $9.95.
- Speedy delivery (two hours or less) for $10 in addition to the delivery charge.
- Walmart+, a membership program offering unlimited deliveries with a monthly or annual fee.
