Retail giant Walmart has ended its membership program and is launching a new subscription service, Walmart+, later this month according to technology news website Recode.
The service will cost US$98 a year and offer same-day delivery; petrol discounts and exclusive early access to the latest product deals.
Walmart reportedly planned to launch the service in late March or April, but the move was hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is not clear yet if the program will be available nationally or regionally in the US.
Recode said that shoppers will be able to access products from Walmart Supercenters. They can reserve delivery slots and avail of Express two-hour delivery. Members are also expected to benefit from a Scan & Go service so they can shop without waiting in line, and a Walmart+ credit card is expected to launch soon after the service.
The move is Walmart’s latest bid to compete against the online retail giant Amazon.
Last year in Australia Amazon launched an online subscription service for household essentials. The ‘Subscribe and Save’ model is popular in international markets as it offers free delivery on repeat purchases across pantry food and beverages, pet supplies, beauty, and vitamins and supplements.