Walmart plans to add drone delivery services at more than 150 stores across the U.S. over the coming year. By the end of 2027, its total number of drone-enabled locations is expected to exceed 270. This expansion will dramatically increase the reach of Walmart’s drone operations, which until now have been limited to small-scale trials in a few markets such as Dallas–Fort Worth and Atlanta.

Wing estimates that the latest expansion will allow over 40 million Walmart customers to access drone delivery, up from just a few million currently. According to Walmart, drone deliveries will primarily target groceries, pharmaceuticals and other small, urgent items, which can be delivered within minutes of placing an order.

In recent years, a wave of retailers and tech firms — including Amazon and DoorDash — have tested drone delivery, but the pace of rollout has been uneven. Regulatory constraints, weather limitations, and concerns around safety, noise and privacy have all contributed to slowing the large-scale deployment of drone logistics.

However, this may be on the verge of changing. A draft aviation rule issued in the U.S. last year is expected to relax restrictions on beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flights for drones. Industry experts note that this regulatory shift could significantly improve the economics and scalability of drone delivery.

Walmart first launched drone delivery in Texas back in 2022 and has since gradually expanded the service to a number of other regions. Markets slated for rollout next year include Los Angeles, Houston, Cincinnati, St. Louis and several cities in Florida.

Wing’s drones can carry packages weighing up to 5 pounds in a single trip and fly several miles, lowering goods to customers’ homes via a winch system. In terms of pricing, Walmart+ members can enjoy drone delivery for free, while non-members will pay a per-order delivery fee.

Market Commentary:

On the daily chart, Walmart’s share price is rebounding in a choppy uptrend, with MACD lines and histogram expanding again above the zero line. By advancing simultaneously on multiple fronts — logistics innovation, index prominence, AI applications and healthcare services — Walmart is steadily transforming itself from a traditional retailer into a tech-enabled, platform-based retail giant.