Advancements in geospatial technology have now improved and widened its delivery areas, allowing a customer to potentially receive their order from multiple stores.
Walmart has broadened its US delivery network to include 12 million more homes, enhancing the availability of same-day delivery services. The expansion is powered by geospatial technology, which employs a data science model to segment geographic regions into detailed hexagonal grids.
This tech allows for more precise adjustments to delivery zones, enabling the company to extend its service reach nationwide. The information used is de-identified and handled in line with Walmart’s privacy guidelines.
Hexagonal grids are preferred over square or circular ones as they ensure comprehensive coverage within a delivery area without overlooking peripheral sections. Walmart’s geospatial platform is based on open-source software but has been designed specifically for the retailer’s requirements.
The tech integrates dynamic data points, including available time slots, travel duration, store capacity and consumer demand. This revamped approach to mapping deliveries enables customers to receive their online orders from multiple Walmart stores within their designated service region.
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A customer’s order would previously be completed by one Walmart store, determined by their geographic location, in most cases. This could lead to situations where unavailable items at that specific store resulted in the customer receiving their order in several deliveries.
But advancements in geospatial technology have now improved and widened its delivery areas, allowing a customer to potentially receive their order from multiple stores.
Walmart stated: “Adapting to customer needs through innovation has never been more important. We’re excited about how technology is helping us simplify our customers’ lives, and geospatial technology is one of the many ways making Walmart delivery more accessible and convenient for more households than ever.”
In March 2025, Walmart introduced Wally, an AI tool designed to aid merchants in product procurement for both bricks-and-mortar and online sales channels. Wally leverages complex datasets to offer insights, pinpoint product performance issues and address operational queries.
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