Walmart launches direct-to-fridge grocery delivery

After announcing the service earlier this year, Walmart has officially launched InHome Delivery in Pittsburgh, Kansas City (Mo. and Kans.), and Vero Beach, Fla. The one million customers in these markets can choose their kitchen or garage fridge as a delivery point, even when they're not home.

Customers need to pay a one-time fee of US$49.95 to have a smart lock installed and a monthly subscription fee of $19.95 for unlimited deliveries. Grocery orders must exceed $30. Employees use the smart entry device and a wearable camera to deliver orders, while customers watch remotely.

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"We’re obsessed with simplifying grocery shopping and finding ways to make our customers’ lives easier," said Bart Stein, SVP, membership and InHome in a blog post published to Walmart's corporate site. "That’s why InHome goes the extra step so that our customers can live their lives without worrying about making it to the store or being home to accept a delivery."

According to Stein, the InHome service complements Walmart's existing Grocery Pickup and Delivery service, and the mega-retailer plans to expand it to even more customers in the months to come.

A version of this article appeared at ProgressiveGrocer.com.