Updated: 06/23/2021

Out of the very unfortunate pandemic that closed down businesses, one fortunate thing to come out of it is perhaps the surge in online shopping and order behaviors. And so, Walmart has made a move and acquired JoyRun as it’s last-mile delivery service.

So, what’s new?

Food delivery businesses have witnessed this the most and have matched the pace by taking on more delivery drivers. Now that the holiday season is just around the corner, industry experts predict that this pattern will go higher. People are likely to look for additional categories that they can order online from their homes’ comfort. App-based companies are looking mostly at locations with a high number of reported cases.

Amidst this, Walmart has made the strategic move to buy assets of JoyRun and strengthen its supply chain model. This move is the latest in the trend for grocery e-commerce businesses that keep sprouting up everywhere. Their assets are inclusive of company talent, technology. Walmart has bought JoyRun’s employees, technology platform, as well as its IP.

JoyRun a Last-Mile delivery system

If you are not familiar, JoyRun operates a little differently from juggernauts like UberEats and Postamates. They offer the unique feature of being able to deliver or pick up items for neighbors and friends.

Five hundred companies prefer JoyRun as a last-mile delivery system where more than 30,000 people work as JoyRun ‘Runners’.

The runners, too, have a choice of either charging a fee or only doing it for free.

The Spark Delivery Program

We know that Walmart has partnered with companies like Instacart, Skipcart, and Roadie in the past. There is talk about an in-house platform that the company has been building, called the Spark Delivery Program.

What is more, last year, Walmart agreed with Udelv to test autonomous vans that could deliver groceries. The tests were conducted in Arizona. In Arkansas, Walmart partnered with Gatik to deliver items from the warehouse to retail outlets.

This year Walmart has also signed up with Cruise for their electric delivery system.

Suppose you enjoy hacking food delivery gigs. Perhaps Walmart could be the next brand you’ll sign up and deliver for.

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