Cold - Chain Pharmaceutical Delivery
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Walmart launches essential service customers, members will cheer
Yahoo Financeยท 2025-09-26 01:37
Core Insights - Walmart is expanding its delivery services to include chilled and reconstituted prescription medications, which is expected to sustain its 14% year-to-date stock performance [1] - This initiative positions Walmart as the first major national retailer to offer both cold-chain pharmaceutical delivery and basic grocery needs in a single order, impacting both local communities and the stock market [2] - The integration of high-value medications into Walmart's logistics aims to enhance customer loyalty through Walmart+ memberships and create competitive pressure on rivals like CVS and Amazon Pharmacy [3] Company Strategy - Walmart's pharmacy generates over 30% of its revenue from refrigerated prescriptions, and since launching its delivery service, it has completed over 4 million pharmacy deliveries [2][4] - The company has been preparing for this expansion for over a year, testing pharmacy delivery in 2024 and rolling it out to all locations by early 2025 [4] - The addition of cooled medications significantly broadens Walmart's market reach, as these products account for nearly one-third of pharmacy sales [5] Operational Capabilities - Walmart's cold-chain infrastructure includes insulated packaging and real-time monitoring, ensuring secure delivery of medications [6] - An electronic signature is required upon delivery, providing customers with assurance similar to that of a traditional pharmacy [6] Customer Engagement - The new delivery service is integrated into Walmart+, offering free delivery for members while non-members incur delivery fees, incentivizing more customers to join the loyalty program [7]