US – Walmart, a leading American retail chain has announced that it will be testing out grocery deliveries using a HomeValet’s smart box to keep food on delivery fresh for longer periods.

From the spring of 2021, participating customers in Bentonville, Arkansas, will be able to receive deliveries from their local Walmart directly in a temperature-controlled HomeValet-powered smart box placed outside their home.

As a result, Walmart says customers will have the ability to receive secure contactless deliveries and will know their grocery items will stay fresh whether they are home or not.

Powered by an internet of things (IoT) platform, HomeValet’s smart box has three temperature-controlled zones, ensuring it can properly store frozen, refrigerated and pantry items.

When it is time for a delivery to be made, the smart box also communicates with the delivery provider’s device, giving them secure access to the smart box to complete the delivery.

Walmart says the solution presents the retailer an opportunity to deliver items 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The US retail corporation launched its grocery delivery service in 2018, and it aims to continue to find new ways to serve customers.

Last year, the company announced that its automated system Alphabot was fully operational to enable more efficient order picking and was ready for a wider roll out.

The new innovations by Walmart come at a time when there is cut throat competition in the US grocery delivery market with competitors like Amazon, Krogger, and Costco all upping their game to attract as many customers as possible.

Amazon has for instance intensified expansion in its grocery delivery division and has announced plans to launch Amazon Fresh grocery stores –– one in Seattle and another in Bellevue.

The e-commerce giant has also reorganized the online grocery delivery division, merging the prime pantry – that was previously favoured for groceries- with its main store and offering its prime members free same day delivery.

The clamour for leadership position is justified as the grocery delivery market segment has been growing tremendously in the past few years.

According to a research by Facts and Factors, the North American e-grocery delivery segment alone is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19% and is anticipated to be worth US$114,923.8 Million by 2026.

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