Walmart’s logistics network processes millions of packages daily, from small e-commerce orders to grocery deliveries. The company uses an integrated supply chain that blends traditional parcel delivery with proprietary local and long-haul solutions. This infrastructure ensures products move efficiently from suppliers to distribution centers, stores, and the customer’s doorstep. Determining which carrier handles an order requires understanding the specialized roles of both third-party providers and Walmart’s internal delivery programs.
Primary Third-Party Shipping Partners
The core of Walmart’s national shipping strategy relies on contractual agreements with the country’s largest parcel carriers for standard-sized parcels. These companies handle the vast majority of e-commerce orders shipped from Walmart’s fulfillment and distribution centers, using extensive networks for air and ground transportation. The choice between carriers often depends on negotiated rates, the required delivery speed, and the package’s final destination.
United Parcel Service (UPS) provides a substantial portion of the volume, utilizing its ground and air services for timely delivery of general merchandise. UPS infrastructure supports long-distance movement and offers service levels that align with Walmart’s delivery promises, such as two-day shipping. FedEx is also a long-standing partner, transporting items from distribution points to regional hubs for final delivery. Both UPS and FedEx are instrumental in providing the tracking, reliability, and capacity needed to manage daily e-commerce volume and peak shopping seasons.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is a preferred carrier, particularly for smaller, lighter packages processed efficiently through their system. USPS is uniquely positioned to handle deliveries to post office boxes, which other major carriers cannot access. It also provides coverage to the most remote or rural last-mile destinations. This carrier is often the most cost-effective option for lower-weight shipments, making it a valuable component in the overall parcel delivery mix.
Walmart’s Internal and Last-Mile Delivery Solutions
Walmart has heavily invested in proprietary solutions to gain greater control over the final leg of delivery and provide rapid fulfillment options. The Spark Driver Network is the company’s primary gig-economy platform, utilizing independent contractors for last-mile delivery of groceries and store-fulfilled general merchandise. Drivers use the Spark app to accept delivery offers from local stores, enabling same-day and express delivery services that leverage the proximity of the physical store footprint.
Walmart GoLocal is a distinct B2B extension of this delivery infrastructure, commercializing its last-mile capabilities to serve other businesses. This white-label service allows external companies to offer scheduled or rapid delivery to their own customers. Fulfillment is handled by the Spark Driver network, optimizing the efficiency of Walmart’s existing driver base.
The company also maintains a large, dedicated fleet of professional truck drivers, operating entirely outside of direct-to-consumer deliveries. This internal fleet is responsible for the continuous flow of inventory between Walmart’s distribution centers, fulfillment facilities, and thousands of retail stores nationwide. This dedicated trucking operation ensures that shelves and local delivery hubs remain stocked.
Factors Influencing Carrier Selection
The decision of which carrier or service handles a package is made by a logistics algorithm that prioritizes speed, cost, and capacity. The system assigns a carrier method based on a dynamic analysis of several factors to ensure the cheapest viable option meets the promised delivery window. The required delivery speed is a significant determinant, as two-day or express shipments automatically limit the pool of eligible carriers to those that can guarantee the transit time.
Package dimensions and weight are constraints that filter the selection, particularly for items exceeding standard parcel limits (e.g., 70 pounds or specific girth measurements). The system will only consider Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) carriers if an item’s weight surpasses 150 pounds or its dimensions exceed 165 inches in length and girth.
The final destination is another variable, as the algorithm calculates the distance from the inventory location and the economics of delivering to urban versus rural areas. Orders shipping from a regional fulfillment center will have different carrier options than those fulfilled directly from a local store.
Shipping Logistics for Walmart Marketplace Sellers
Third-party sellers on Walmart.com have two primary models for managing order logistics, which directly impacts the carrier used. The Seller-Fulfilled Network (SFS) places the entire responsibility for warehousing, packaging, and shipping directly on the seller. Under this model, the seller selects and manages their own carrier relationships, which can be any major or regional parcel carrier.
Sellers using SFS must adhere to Walmart’s performance metrics for on-time delivery and provide valid tracking information. In contrast, Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) allows third-party sellers to store inventory in Walmart’s own fulfillment centers. When a customer places an order, Walmart takes over the entire process, including picking, packing, shipping, and handling returns.
Items fulfilled through WFS are shipped using Walmart’s standard network, which includes negotiated rates and relationships with major national carriers. WFS listings benefit from a “Fulfilled by Walmart” tag and eligibility for two-day shipping, offering an advantage in visibility and customer trust. WFS Multichannel Solutions allow sellers to use Walmart’s network to fulfill orders placed on other e-commerce platforms, expanding the reach of the company’s logistics infrastructure.
Specialized Freight and Emerging Delivery Methods
Beyond standard parcel and local delivery, Walmart maintains specialized methods for handling large items and is investing in future-focused transport technologies. Freight carriers and Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping are utilized for bulky merchandise like major appliances and furniture that exceed standard ground service limits. LTL involves consolidating shipments from multiple customers onto a single truck, making it a cost-effective solution for freight that does not require a full truckload.
The company has a large network of approved LTL carriers that handle these shipments, often requiring special appointment-based delivery and a Bill of Lading for tracking. This process ensures that large, heavy items are moved efficiently from distribution centers or supplier warehouses to the customer’s home. In parallel, Walmart is actively piloting emerging methods like drone and automated delivery in select markets.
Drone delivery services, often in partnership with companies like Zipline and DroneUp, are operational in limited areas. They focus on rapid delivery of small, lightweight items under ten pounds, such as groceries or over-the-counter medications. These services can deliver packages in as little as 30 minutes, capitalizing on the proximity of local stores to the customer.
In-Home Delivery Programs
For high-value or highly convenient services, specialized in-home delivery programs offer a controlled access experience. This sometimes involves associates delivering groceries directly into a customer’s refrigerator.