In this Fast Five Short, Anne and Chris are joined by A&M CRG's Lakshman Lakshmanan and Chris Creyts to discuss how Walmart has launched a same-day prescription delivery service, aiming to reach 49 states and cover over 86% of U.S. households by the end of January. This innovative move allows customers to combine their grocery and medication orders, creating convenience for Walmart Plus members. The podcast discusses the potential impact of this service on traditional pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, which currently hold significant market share. As Walmart expands its pharmacy offerings, experts highlight the competitive landscape, noting that both Walmart and Amazon are vying for a larger share of the prescription market. The conversation emphasizes Walmart's strategic response to customer demand and the implications for the future of pharmacy retail.

Walmart's recent announcement of a same-day prescription delivery service marks a significant shift in the retail pharmacy landscape. Starting with the ability to deliver prescriptions in as little as 30 minutes, this service is set to be available across 49 states and aims to cover more than 86% of U.S. households by the end of January. Walmart's strategy allows customers to combine their grocery and medication orders, particularly benefiting Walmart Plus members who will enjoy this service for free. This initiative not only positions Walmart as a competitive player in the pharmacy market but also highlights the growing demand for convenience in healthcare delivery.

The discussion delves into the implications for traditional pharmacy giants like Walgreens and CVS, who currently dominate the market with significant shares. While Walmart holds only 5% of the prescription market, the speakers analyze how this move could potentially erode that dominance, especially considering that 90% of households live within 10 miles of a Walmart pharmacy. The conversation uncovers concerns about the future of these established pharmacies as they face increasing pressure from not only Walmart but also Amazon, which is expanding its pharmacy services.

As the episode progresses, the speakers emphasize the importance of understanding customer needs. Walmart's decision to implement this service was driven by feedback from customers who expressed a desire for integrated grocery and prescription delivery. This customer-centric approach is contrasted with the reactive strategies of other retailers that often focus on what competitors are doing rather than what consumers want. The insights shared in this episode underline the evolving dynamics of retail pharmacy, highlighting the need for innovation and adaptability in an increasingly competitive market.

Takeaways:

Walmart's new same day prescription delivery service aims to reach 90% of US households within weeks.

The move poses a competitive threat to CVS and Walgreens, who dominate the pharmacy market.

Walmart's pharmacy market share is currently low, indicating significant growth potential for the company.

Customers can now combine grocery and prescription deliveries, enhancing Walmart Plus membership value.

Amazon is also expanding its pharmacy services, increasing competition in the prescription delivery market.

Walmart's focus on customer feedback led to the launch of sought-after delivery options for prescriptions.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

Walmart

CVS

Walgreens

Amazon

Target

• For the full episode sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Mirakl, Ownit AI, and Ocampo Capital head here: https://youtu.be/k5dEe64NBUEhttps://youtu.be/XlWTHMPWRDU

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