Walmart’s ambitions to bring drone delivery into the retail mainstream are ascending fast. According to The Wall Street Journal, the retail giant plans to add the service at another 150 stores in 2026 through an expanded partnership with Wing, the drone operator owned by Alphabet.
The move follows Walmart’s June 2025 announcement that it would extend drone deliveries to 100 stores. Wing’s aircraft can fly beyond visual line of sight for up to six miles, and the company estimates that Walmart’s coverage will grow from about 2 million shoppers today to more than 40 million as the rollout continues.
Walmart first entered the drone delivery space in 2022 with DroneUp, launching in select Texas, Arizona, and Florida markets. By 2023, the retailer had drone delivery hubs at 36 U.S. stores operated by DroneUp, Flytrex, or Zipline, completing more than 10,000 deliveries. A partnership with Wing began in August 2023, while Walmart continues to work with Zipline as well.
The service caters to shoppers seeking convenience for small but essential purchases. Among the most frequently delivered items are fresh produce such as bananas, lemons, and limes, along with eggs, ice cream, and pet food, according to a June 2025 company update. Wing’s drones carry up to five pounds of goods, lowering orders in takeout-style boxes from a tethered line, typically within 30 minutes.
Walmart’s competitors are also refining their aerial strategies. Amazon’s Prime Air said on X in May 2025 that it expanded drone deliveries in Texas and Arizona to include electronics containing lithium-ion batteries, such as phones and grilling thermometers. Prime Air currently operates in metro regions of Arizona, Michigan, Florida, Texas, Missouri, and Kansas, delivering to designated drop points. DoorDash has also ventured into drone delivery, partnering with Wing for services in Christiansburg, Virginia, and Frisco, Texas.
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