Walmart delivers fatal blow to Amazon with this new trick

Walmart (WMT) puts in quite an effort to try and keep up with its arch-rival Amazon (AMZN). The big-box retail giant’s latest shot at Amazon is the new Jetblack service that is a product of the company’s startup incubator, Store No.8. Walmart challenges Amazon membership services Prime and Prime now, with its new text message-based shopping service.

Walmart’s acquisition of Jet.com has become a key source to target millennials in big cities. The new services are also aimed to woo the urban crowd, especially parents. The service, which incorporates the latest tech artificial intelligence and professional buyers to make shopping recommendation via text, will carry products from Walmart and Jet.com as well as products sourced by local chains.

The big-box retail giant’s latest shot at Amazon is the new Jetblack service that is a product of the company’s startup incubator, Store No.8.

The Jetblack service, which will first be rolled out for residents of New York, is soon expected to expand to other cities as well.

How this trick works

The $50-a-month personal shopping services, allows customers to send a text message mentioning the specific product they wish to purchase. The new service promises to deliver the product the same day. Shoppers are given a wide range of choice, right from birthday gifts to household essentials. The service, however, does not include fresh grocery. Jetblack, which is currently by invite-only, is looking for third-party delivery services which include Uber and Deliv.

Walmart’s Store No. 8 incubator other projects include Project Kepler that is much similar to Amazon Go. It is about building cashier-less stores.