Walmart Tests the Pickup-Only Waters

Walmart opened the doors—or car lanes more aptly—this month to its first Pickup Point concept store.

The 40,000-square-foot Walmart Pickup Point in Lincolnwood, IL, will fulfill online orders through pickup or delivery options, but shoppers will not be able to shop inside the building.  

Customers place their shopping orders online or via app and then drive to the store and wait at bays as Walmart employees bring out their orders. The location will fulfill orders for groceries, health and wellness items, and products used for daily life in a matter of minutes.

This is Walmart’s largest self-standing grocery and pickup delivery location in the U.S. The retailer converted a former Dominick’s grocery store at 6840 N. McCormick Boulevard to launch the pilot store.

This new facility represents an evolving retail shopping experience and is the next step in Walmart’s plan to spend $87.5 million on the launch and expansion of new innovations and store remodels throughout Illinois this year.

While customers will not see the inside of the store, it resembles a typical Walmart, according to Chicago Tribune. Its aisles are filled with groceries, fresh fruit and over-the-counter medicinal items. Employees work along-side modern machinery such as automated floor scrubbers and unloaders that scan and sort merchandise as it comes off the delivery trucks.

“The Lincolnwood Walmart Pickup Point gives busy customers the ability to shop how, when and where they want, without having to leave their cars or homes,” said store manager Nicole Olson. “Our customers know we have everyday low prices, now we can also save customers precious time.”

Walmart is betting that its customers are willing to pay to save this time. The pickup fee is $4.95 and between $7.95 and $9.95 for delivery, depending on time of day. The catch, according to Chicago Tribune, is that orders must total 30$ and customers have to give at least three hours notice to get an order filled.

To entice shoppers to give the new digs a try, Walmart is waiving fees until September 15th with the code SHOPFREE on purchases $50 or more.

How It Works

Customers can complete their grocery shopping via the Walmart Grocery site or app or purchase general merchandise on Walmart.com and choose to pick up their order curbside or have their order delivered to their home. Pickup times are 8 a.m.– 10 p.m. and delivery is 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Grocery Delivery provides a scheduled drop-off.

Once the order is placed, a “specially trained” Walmart personal shopper curates the order inside the Lincolnwood Pickup Point. Customers who have chosen Pickup notify Walmart of their arrival at the Pickup Point via the app or call a designated number to alert an associate inside the store. Then the Walmart personal shoppers will load the order in the customer’s vehicle.

For those who choose delivery, a Walmart delivery partner retrieves the order from the Lincolnwood Pickup Point and delivers it to the customer during their specified delivery window.