CVS Rolling Out Curbside Pickup After Target Rolls It Back In

CVS customers may be getting a “white glove” experience. CVS Health recently announced that, through the company’s app or through the free Curbside mobile app, customers can place their order and have it delivered to their car while sitting in the parking lot.

The concept is geared toward parents with sick children, shoppers who are sick themselves or those who just don’t want to get out of the car. Customers can place an order for over-the-counter medicine, as well as beauty supplies, candy and other common CVS goods. The technology sends the customer a text when the items are ready to be picked up, which can be an hour or sooner.

Seems like something that CVS competitors would have already rolled out. That’s both correct and incorrect.

Turns out, back in April 2014, Target said it was partnering with the Curbside app to provide the namesake delivery service in the San Francisco area. A year and a half later, Target expanded the service to more than 120 outlets but rolled the concept back in by closing the option entirely in June of this year.

The fact that CVS has made a big commitment to curbside service and taken an ownership interest in Curbside wouldn’t be so noteworthy except for the fact that another major retailer is already backing away.

Walmart said it has plans for some type of curbside pickup, while also indicating plans of a self-driving cart.