Walgreens, FedEx Partner on Next-Day Prescription Delivery Service

By Melissa Campanelli

Walgreens and FedEx last week announced the nationwide launch of a next-day prescription delivery service called Walgreens Express. The service, both companies said, brings together Walgreens’ extensive network of neighborhood pharmacy locations with the FedEx air-and-ground delivery network to enhance convenience for patients to fill prescriptions. Walgreens will charge $4.99 for the next-day delivery service, and orders must be placed by 4 p.m. on business days. Same-day delivery is currently available in select markets and will be expanded in 2019. Patients enrolled in text alerts from Walgreens will receive text notification when qualifying prescriptions are ready to pick up. They can also use the Walgreens Express app to preview the cost of their drugs, pre-pay, and select delivery or in-store pickup through an express line.

Total Retail's Take: Good move, Walgreens and FedEx. Last week's announcement comes a few months after top competitor CVS Health launched a similar delivery service. And let's face it: all drugstore retailers are gearing up for the potential entry of Amazon.com into the pharmacy space after the online retail giant acquired PillPack, an online pharmacy that lets users buy medications in pre-made doses. In order to compete with Amazon, drug store chains such as CVS and Walgreens will need to match the convenience and ease with which consumers can shop on Amazon, including delivery.

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Melissa Campanelli Author's page Melissa Campanelli is Editor-in-Chief of Total Retail. She is an industry veteran, having covered all aspects of retail, tech, digital, e-commerce, and marketing over the past 20 years. Melissa is also the co-founder of the Women in Retail Leadership Circle.