Shipt opens innovation lab
Shipt is launching an internal effort to centralize delivery and product experiments.
The same-day delivery platform (which is a Target subsidiary) now operates an innovation lab focused on advancing the future of shopping and delivery for all stakeholders.
Technologies and areas where Shipt will conduct experiments and research include drone delivery and fulfillment, personalization, and immersive shopping experiences in virtual environments such as metaverse and gaming platforms.
One real-life example of Shipt providing an immersive shopping experience is a partnership with online gaming developer Voldex in summer 2023 that provided a back to school shopping immersion within Driving Empire, a racing experience available on the Roblox gaming platform.
Within Voldex's Driving Empire, users played the role of a shopper with Shipt to deliver popular items on customers' back-to-school lists. Players used a virtual Shipt app to claim orders for pick-up and delivery to customers, trying to beat the scheduled delivery time to earn in-experience currency and other virtual prizes.
Other recent technical innovation efforts from Shipt include an AI-powered search function and a new order tracking tool to provide real-time updates as shoppers order items for delivery, which were both released in December 2023 in time for the holiday season.
“The innovation lab brings together dedicated focus and resources so we can elevate and accelerate the ways we experiment with new technologies and exciting solutions to complement the beloved human connection that people value in delivery with Shipt," said Jon Fahrner, VP of sales development and innovation at Shipt. “The team is energized to dream up the future of delivery that ultimately enhances Shipt’s personalized, high-quality delivery experience for partners, customers, drivers and shoppers alike.”
Shipt provides personal shopping and delivery in more than 5,000 U.S. cities. An independently operated, wholly-owned subsidiary of Target Corp, Shipt was founded and headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., and also maintains an office in San Francisco.