The service costs $9.95, and requires a $30 minimum order

Walmart says it employs more than 18,000 personal shoppers, and will add thousands more this year

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced on Wednesday plans to expand its online grocery delivery option to more than 100 metro areas by year’s end, when the program will be accessible to more than 40% of U.S. households.

Groceries can be delivered to customers as soon as the same day. Customers pay a $9.95 fee for the service, which requires a $30 minimum order. The company is offering free delivery on the first order for customers using the promo code FRESHCAR.

“We’re saving customers time by leveraging new technology, and connecting all the parts of our business into a single seamless shopping experience: great stores, easy pickup, fast delivery, and apps and websites that are simple to use,” said Greg Foran, president and chief executive officer of Walmart U.S. “We’re serving our customers in ways that no one else can. Using our size and scale, we’re bringing the best of Walmart to customers across the country.” Customers of Walmart Grocery Delivery place their orders online at Walmart.com/grocery or on the Walmart grocery app. Walmart’s personal shoppers then select the ordered items, and “crowd-sourced delivery services” transport the merchandise to the shopper’s doorstep, Walmart said.

The company said it employs more than 18,000 personal shoppers, and that thousands more are being added this year.

Walmart in recent years has invested heavily in its Online Grocery Pickup service, upgrading its click-and-collect capabilities that let customers buy online, have store employees fulfill their orders and then drive to the store at their convenience to pick up their groceries. The service is now available in more than 1,200 Walmart stores. The company said it expects to add 1,000 stores this year.

“Our commitment goes further than saving customers money,” said Tom Ward, vice president of digital operations at Walmart U.S. “Ninety percent of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart store, and we serve more than 150 million customers a week, which gives us a unique opportunity to make every day a little easier for busy families. Today, we’re expanding this promise by helping even more customers save time and money without leaving their homes.”