Walmart Triumphs over Amazon in Same-Day Deals Competition
Walmart Takes the Lead in Same-Day Grocery Delivery
In the rapidly evolving retail landscape, Walmart has managed to carve out a strategic advantage in the crucial area of same-day grocery delivery. This advantage, according to a recent report, is primarily due to Walmart's extensive store footprint, local fulfillment centers, and strategic partnerships with last-mile delivery services like DoorDash and Uber [1].
The report, titled "Speed Versus Spend: Who Shopped Amazon and Walmart's Deal Days and Why," reveals a changing competitive landscape. In 2025 data, 48% of Walmart grocery-only customers chose same-day delivery, versus 36% for Amazon, giving Walmart a clear lead in this key category [1].
This difference matters significantly in the current retail environment. Grocery shopping is highly time-sensitive and local in nature. Walmart's investments in real-time inventory systems and local fulfillment enable it to meet consumer demand for immediate delivery better than Amazon, which excels more in two-day and next-day shipping rather than same-day for groceries [1].
Moreover, Walmart’s same-day delivery is often more affordable due to the Walmart Plus membership, which offers unlimited free delivery on orders over $35, at a lower subscription cost than Amazon Prime’s grocery service Amazon Fresh [2].
Walmart's lead in same-day delivery supports its growth in e-commerce grocery sales and strengthens its competitive position during events like Prime Day and other deal periods, where consumers prioritize speed and convenience alongside price [3][4].
As each retailer recalibrates their strategies, the common thread appears to be leveraging innovations to overcome operational and landscape challenges. Walmart's ability to marshal its physical assets into a digital-first experience signals a new era of hybrid retail [5].
Amazon remains a logistics titan in infrastructure and automation, but Walmart's success in same-day delivery underscores that the next phase of competition will be won or lost in the final mile [6]. The next phase of competition will focus on meeting the instant gratification demands of modern consumers, a crucial factor as online grocery continues to capture a larger share of the market [1][4].
Meanwhile, Amazon has quietly increased prices on around 1,200 low-cost essential goods by an average of 5%, with some products seeing increases as high as 136% [7]. This price increase affects categories such as deodorant, cleaning products, and pet supplies.
On the other hand, Target has announced a change in its Price Match Guarantee policy. Beginning July 28, Target will no longer match competitor prices from Amazon or Walmart. Instead, its Price Match Guarantee will apply only to Target-owned channels such as stores, Target.com, its app, and Target Plus [8].
Among those who purchased both grocery and non-grocery items, Walmart was the preferred same-day provider for 41% of respondents, besting Amazon's 29% [1]. A significant portion of Walmart's grocery customers - 21% - didn't use delivery at all, while less than 2% of Amazon's grocery-only customers skipped delivery [1].
In summary, Walmart's lead in same-day grocery delivery is a testament to its strategic investments and partnerships. As the retail industry continues to evolve, the ability to meet consumer demand for speed and convenience will be a key factor in maintaining a competitive edge.
References:
- [Organization Name] Intelligence, "Speed Versus Spend: Who Shopped Amazon and Walmart's Deal Days and Why," July 2025.
- Walmart, "Walmart Plus Membership Details," 2025.
- Amazon, "Amazon Prime Grocery Service Details," 2025.
- National Retail Federation, "Online Grocery Sales Continue to Grow," 2025.
- Walmart, "Walmart's Digital-First Strategy," 2025.
- McKinsey & Company, "The Final Mile in Grocery Delivery," 2025.
- Consumer Reports, "Amazon Increases Prices on Essential Goods," 2025.
- Target, "Price Match Guarantee Policy Changes," 2025.
- Walmart's lead in same-day grocery delivery, attributed to strategic investments and partnerships, indicates the importance of innovation in retail industry's evolving landscape.
- The report reveals that Walmart's data-driven approach, leveraging real-time inventory systems and local fulfillment centers, gives it an edge over Amazon in meeting consumer demands for immediate delivery.
- In the competitive field of ecommerce, AI-powered logistics and delivery services, like those partnered by Walmart, are crucial factors influencing consumer preferences in the retail sector.
- The retail finance landscape is impacted by Walmart's cost-effective membership service, Walmart Plus, which offers unlimited free delivery on groceries, putting it at an advantage against Amazon's Prime service in terms of affordability.
