Target is introducing same-day delivery in Baltimore

Target is getting into same-delivery service, and Baltimore is one of the first Mid-Atlantic cities where it will debut.
The big box retailer announced on Thursday that it’s running delivery through app-based service Shipt, which it acquired last year. It’s expected to launch in Baltimore on March 29, and is also debuting in D.C. More expansion is planned later this year, with a majority of Target stores slated to offer the service by the end of the year.
“Same-day delivery was at the top of our list when we were thinking about ways to make shopping at Target even easier,” John Mulligan, COO at Target, said in a statement. “Shipt’s personalized, customer-focused approach fits perfectly with our commitment to deliver a convenient, exceptional experience and we’re excited to begin offering same-day service in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.”
Shipt, which has offices in Birmingham, Ala., and San Francisco, was previously used for grocery delivery service. The Target acquisition brought an expansion into a host of products that Target offers like home decor, electronics and essentials. The service is offered through an annual membership of $99.
Orders can be placed on the Shipt app. Then, the goods will be delivered from Target locations throughout the Baltimore and D.C. metro areas, giving 2.9 million homes access, according to the companies. Target’s lone Baltimore city location is now at Canton Crossing in Southeast Baltimore. The West Baltimore store at Mondawmin Mall closed last month, leaving that development without a retail anchor.
With the launch, the Shipt said it is looking to hire 1,900 “Shipt Shoppers” in the region.
For Target, the partnership with Shipt marks a move into delivery service amid moves from retail competitors like Walmart and, of course, Amazon.
This week, Walmart announced it was expanding grocery delivery service to 100 locations.
For its part, Amazon has been expanding same-day delivery over the last two years. In 2015, Baltimore was one of the first cities where the ecommerce company rolled one-hour delivery.