In this Feb. 27, 2020, file photo, the DoorDash app is shown on a smartphone in New York. (AP Photo, File)
One of the largest delivery platforms in the U.S., DoorDash is getting into the growing prescription drug delivery business through a partnership with wholesale giant Sam's Club.
“Our partnership with DoorDash to launch this new service allows us to not only give our members more convenient healthcare options, but also delivers on our commitment to their overall wellness needs,” said John McDowell, vice president of pharmacy operations and divisional merchandise at Sam’s Club, in a statement.
DoorDash is tapping Drive, its white-label fulfillment platform for merchants, to power the partnership, which emerged specifically to meet shifting consumer expectations amid COVID.
“Businesses have evolved amidst the pandemic to prioritize the safety of their communities and to adapt to new consumer habits, and our goal is to help merchants meet those demands in a way that’s best for their business,” said Christopher Payne, chief operating officer at DoorDash.
The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the adoption of prescription drug delivery services. Pharmacies in particular have turned to third parties to compete with online retailers.
For DoorDash, the partnership comes as the platform teams up with other companies outside of the food category, including PetSmart, Macy's, Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, and 7-Eleven.
DoorDash will provide same-day delivery across Sam Club's 500 locations.
Sam's Club is offering free delivery on their first two pharmacy orders until the end of the year and then charging a flat fee of $7.99 per order.
Some small grocery stores and neighborhood convenience stores are eager for the U.S. government shutdown to end and for their customers to start receiving federal food aid again. Late last month, the Trump administration froze funding for the SNAP benefits that about 42 million Americans use to buy groceries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says about 74% of the assistance was spent last year at superstores like Walmart and supermarkets like Kroger. Around 14% went to smaller stores that are more accessible to SNAP beneficiaries. A former director of the United Nations World Food Program says SNAP is not only a social safety net for families but a local economic engine that supports neighborhood businesses.
Andy Baehr, Head of Product at CoinDesk Indices, breaks down crypto’s Black Friday crash, Bitcoin dipping under $100K, and what’s driving the market rout.
Billionaire Warren Buffett warned shareholders Monday that many companies will fare better than his Berkshire Hathaway in the decades ahead as Father Time catches up
Chris Marquette of POLITICO breaks down how the FAA is cutting flights and facing a critical shortage of air‑traffic controllers amid the government shutdown.
Dr. Manuele Aufiero, CEO & Co‑Founder of Sizable En a groundbreaking undersea energy‑storage technology powering the global shift to clean, scalable power.
Paul Fipps, President of Global Customer Operations at ServiceNow, breaks down the company’s earnings beat, 5‑for‑1 stock split and booming enterprise AI demand