Wing, a subsidiary of Alphabet renowned for its innovative approach to on-demand deliveries, is expanding its collaboration with Walmart by adding an additional 150 stores to its growing list of partners. This announcement marks the second significant expansion in partnership within a year, emphasizing the increasing demand for Wing’s drone delivery services.
The rollout is set to span throughout this year and continue into 2027, focusing on the integration of drone deliveries across various locations, building on previous services already available in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Atlanta. Heather Rivera, Wing’s new chief business officer, revealed the plans to TechCrunch, underscoring the promising response from customers.
Reports indicate that Wing’s service has achieved substantial traction; the company’s top 25% of users are reportedly utilizing the service up to three times a week. Popular items in demand via drone delivery include everyday groceries such as eggs, ground beef, fresh tomatoes, avocados, limes, as well as snacks like Takis and convenient meal options like Lunchables.
This latest expansion venture follows Wing’s previously announced plans to enter markets such as Houston, Orlando, Tampa, and Charlotte, with Houston set to commence services on January 15. Once fully operational, Wing’s services will reach over 270 Walmart locations across major cities including Los Angeles, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Miami, potentially serving about 10% of the U.S. population.
Wing’s trajectory has shifted from a former Google X project to a robust commercial venture. Although the company has pursued partnerships beyond Walmart—including a collaboration with DoorDash—its primary growth strategy remains firmly rooted in its relationship with Walmart. The partnership initially launched in 2023 with a pilot program that tested on-demand delivery at two Walmart stores, eventually expanding to encompass 18 Supercenters in the Dallas area and extending to Atlanta.
Looking ahead, Rivera mentioned that Wing is dedicated to advancing its technology and operational capabilities. Notably, the company has recently achieved its first commercial flights utilizing larger aircraft capable of carrying payloads up to five pounds. Rivera emphasized the importance of co-locating delivery services within Walmart locations to integrate seamlessly into the retailer’s operational framework.
As Wing prepares for further growth, it may adopt diverse strategies for scaling its operations, such as clustering store openings—a tactic successfully employed during last year’s launch of six stores in Atlanta. While Rivera refrained from sharing specific figures regarding profitability or timelines for achieving it, she is focused on scaling the business efficiently.
“The volume is definitely powering our flywheel,” she noted, highlighting that expanding the number of locations and markets is vital for the company’s economic health. Rivera joined Wing with a mandate to scale operations, and her enthusiasm for the task ahead is evident as she prepares to lead the charge into new territories.
