Vitamin and dietary supplement provider GNC has partnered with Zipline, descried as the world's largest autonomous delivery system, to offer a fully electric drone delivery option in select markets in the US in 2023 and beyond.
"Partnering with Zipline is propelling GNC to the cutting edge in the retail category," said Alan Chester, Chief Supply Chain Officer, GNC. "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 US market while considering domestic expansion."
Beginning with Salt Lake City this summer, GNC will work with Zipline to offer efficient, convenient and fast residential product deliveries while lowering its carbon footprint per order.
"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 continued. "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."
In Utah, GNC will start 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 use 97% less energy than traditional automotive methods.
"Zipline is faster, more convenient and better for the environment than traditional automotive delivery. We provide the best delivery experience not on earth for consumers and businesses of any size and industry," said Irene Scher, Senior Vice President of US Go-To-Market at Zipline. "We're excited for GNC customers to use Zipline to achieve their wellness goals in a far more convenient way than before."