Lowe's tests drone deliveries in North Carolina with DoorDash and Wing
Lowe's began a drone delivery trial at its Matthews, North Carolina store, partnering with DoorDash and Wing to ship small items within five miles in as little as 20 minutes.
Lowe's announced a drone delivery pilot operating from its Matthews, North Carolina location, the first such initiative by a home-improvement retailer. Working with DoorDash and Alphabet's Wing, the program lets shoppers choose drone fulfillment via the DoorDash app for qualifying zip codes. Wing's aircraft can transport items weighing up to roughly 2.5 pounds and cover a five-mile radius, delivering orders in as little as 20 minutes.
The catalog includes over 100 items ranging from hand tools and paint accessories to everyday household supplies. Seemantini Godbole explained that the service aims to eliminate project-stage interruptions, while Rajiv Raghunathan said Lowe's will monitor associate input and DoorDash data to refine the offering. If successful, the company may roll the model out beyond the single North Carolina store, adding to its existing same-day pickup and delivery options.
Why it matters
The trial shows how retailers are using drones to speed up small-item deliveries and reduce project delays for DIY customers.
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