The home improvement retail chain Lowe’s today launched airborne drone delivery service, saying it could deliver select home improvement items directly to both do-it-yourself (DIY) and professional contractor customers in as fast as 20 minutes.
This pilot project is now live only at Lowe’s store in Matthews, N.C., and is provided in partnership with Wing and DoorDash. Online shoppers can use the service by browsing Lowe’s merchandise in the DoorDash app, selecting eligible items, and choosing drone delivery by clicking on the dedicated “Lowe’s Air” storefront. Wing drones then transport orders weighing up to 2.5 pounds per flight.
The new fulfillment method follows other same-day fulfillment options supported by Lowe’s, including buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS); curbside pickup, and same-day delivery.
“Home improvement is an inherently friction-filled experience. Any technology we implement is designed to eliminate that friction so our customers can complete their projects quickly,” said Seemantini Godbole, chief information and AI officer at Lowe’s. “By piloting drone delivery, we’re addressing a real project pain point with an innovative solution that is integrated into the retail journey, giving our hometown customers next-generation fulfillment right when they need it.”
Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe’s operates over 1,750 home improvement stores, 540 branches and 120 distribution centers, employing approximately 300,000 people.
