GNC Launching Drone Delivery Service
GNC is testing an expansion of its delivery services with the launch of delivery by drone in select markets across the U.S.
Teaming with Zipline, which touts itself as the world's largest autonomous delivery system, the retailer will offer drone delivery this summer in Salt Lake City. Customers in the Utah county of Salt Lake who want to use the Zipline service will need to sign up with Zipline at www.flyzipline.com/gnc to confirm their delivery address is eligible. Once confirmed, Zipline delivery will be available for those customers when they order from GNC.com.
"Partnering with Zipline is propelling GNC to the cutting edge in the retail category," said Alan Chester, the retailer’s chief supply chain officer. "Drone delivery is an innovative way to make our fulfillment, distribution, and delivery processes more efficient, more effective, and faster, ultimately benefiting our consumers. We're excited for this initial test in one U.S. market while considering domestic expansion."
GNC will start the new service by using Zipline's Platform 1 long-range delivery system, which features a fleet of small, fixed-wing, fully autonomous aircraft that operate quietly and release packages with parachutes to a customer's yard.
In 2024, GNC will begin using Zipline's newly announced Platform 2 system, which is designed specifically for urban delivery. Zipline deliveries are said to use 97% less energy than traditional automotive methods.
The new delivery services follows GNC’s launch of Same Day Delivery, Buy Online Pickup In Store, and Ship from Store as well as the introduction of social selling on GNC.com via Salesfloor.
"The addition of Zipline's drone delivery within our omnichannel mix allows GNC to continue to optimize its transportation and distribution network for efficiencies," Chester said. "It lightens the burden on our dual distribution centers by leveraging the store-fulfillment model during which our expert coaches package the products and have Zipline deliver them. Plus, by fulfilling orders with products that are already nearby, we can get purchases to consumers faster."