Walmart tests ‘in-fridge’ home delivery service for customers who aren’t home

Wal-Mart, America's largest retailer and the largest company in the world based on revenue, has evolved into a giant economic force for the U.S. economy. With growth, the company continues to weather criticism of low wages, anti-union policies as well as accusations that it has homogenized America's retail economy and driven traditional stores and shops out of business.  (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

Credit: Chris Hondros

Credit: Chris Hondros

Wal-Mart, America's largest retailer and the largest company in the world based on revenue, has evolved into a giant economic force for the U.S. economy. With growth, the company continues to weather criticism of low wages, anti-union policies as well as accusations that it has homogenized America's retail economy and driven traditional stores and shops out of business. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

Walmart is testing a new grocery delivery service -- one where you don't have to be home to receive your order.

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The retail giant announced Friday it has partnered with smart lock startup August Home to create a program where a delivery person can enter a customer's home and put away groceries.

Delivery drivers would be given a one-time passcode that provides access to the customer’s house if no one is there. Customers would receive an alert notification via the August Home app when a delivery person enters their home and would be able to watch the delivery person through the app.

The service will be tested in Silicon Valley with a small number of August Home users.

"These tests are a natural evolution of what Walmart is all about -- an obsession in saving our customers not just money but also time," Sloan Eddleston, Walmart's vice president of eCommerce strategy & business operations, wrote in a blog post. "This may not be for everyone -- and certainly not right away -- but we want to offer customers the opportunity to participate in tests today and help us shape what commerce will look like in the future."

Would you use it?

Read more here.

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Brianna Chambers contributed to this report.

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