Walmart does drones, GML: AI, automation & images are future, Local inventory ad unit mimics 3-pack

Send us Fan MailWalmart announced that they were rolling out drone delivery in 6 states this week, offering upto 100,000 picked in the local store. Meanwhile Gorrila (Europe’s largest food delivery company announced massive layoffs and UberEats continued to struggle to find a profitable path forward. Walmart’s many rural & suburban stores gives them a unique advantage in driving their own, same day delivery service. Interestingly Amazon’s drone work seems to have stalled.   Google is moving full steam ahead on a vision of search and advertising that includes an ever increasing amount of AI driven automation and an ever increasing amount of images and other visuals in the search results. They noted at the GML event that “​​we're transforming the SERPS into an endless stream of visual ideas”.  Google sees automated retail ads and local as their path to compet with AmazonGoogle testing new Local inventory ad unit that looks like the 3-packThe Near Memo is a weekly conversation about Search, Social, and Commerce: What happened, why it matters, and the implications for local businesses and national brands.Near Memo Ep 66Subscribe to our newsletters and other content at https://www.nearmedia.co/subscribe/