Walmart Stores Inc. (WMT - Get Report) is testing a new service that delivers groceries not just to your doorstep, but straight into your refrigerator, the company said Friday, Sept. 22.
When a customer participating in the test orders groceries, he or she can choose to have the goods delivered directly into the fridge. If that sounds like a burglary waiting to happen, don't fret: Walmart is partnering with smart home accessories maker August Home so that customers can watch the delivery straight from their smartphone.
The service gives Walmart deliverers a one-time code to use on an August Home lock at the customer's home. The customer allows the deliverer access and can watch the delivery through security cameras paired to the August app. Once the delivery is complete, the homeowner gets a notification that the August lock has been shut.
Walmart is testing the service in Silicon Valley first with a small group of August Home customers. The company said this move is "a natural evolution of what Walmart is all about -- an obsession in saving our customers not just money but also time."
This could be Walmart's next play in the ongoing competition to outdo Amazon.com Inc.'s (AMZN - Get Report) Amazon Prime, Prime Pantry and Amazon Fresh services. Sure, Amazon has fast shipping and even same-day delivery in some spots -- but can Amazon put away your groceries for you?
Walmart stock traded down 0.11% to $79.92 in early trading Friday. Shares have gained 15.76% so far this year.
