Lowe’s announced Thursday that it is rolling out a drone delivery pilot in North Carolina, saying it is the first home improvement retailer to offer shoppers the service.
The pilot is now live at a Lowe’s store in Matthews, North Carolina, where eligible customers can order select products through the DoorDash app for delivery by Alphabet-owned Wing drones in as little as 20 minutes, according to an announcement from the company.
“At Lowe’s, our mission is to solve problems and fulfill dreams for the home,” Seemantini Godbole, chief information and AI officer at Lowe’s, said in a statement.
“To achieve this mission, we’re removing friction from home improvement and making it easier for customers to enjoy their home. Any technology we implement is designed to eliminate that friction so our customers can complete their projects quickly.”
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The service expands Lowe’s same-day fulfillment options, which already include buy online, pick up in store, curbside pickup and same-day delivery.
The initial rollout focuses on lightweight items that the company said are often “easily forgotten yet critical to finishing any home improvement task.”
These include items like hand tools, paint products, soap, tape, batteries and all-purpose cleaner.
Wing drones can currently carry orders weighing about 2.5 pounds.
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Customers within the eligible delivery area will automatically see a drone delivery option in the DoorDash app, where they can shop through the dedicated “Lowe’s by Drone” storefront and place qualifying orders.
The pilot builds on Wing and DoorDash’s existing drone delivery network in the Charlotte area and is part of Lowe’s broader effort to use technology to improve the shopping experience.
The company said its AI-powered tools, including the Mylow customer assistant and Mylow Companion for store associates, have answered more than 25 million questions since launching last year.
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“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,” Godbole said.
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