As customer expectations for fast delivery continue to rise, same-day shipping has become a valuable competitive edge for small retailers. But launching your own in-house courier service isn’t practical for most businesses. Instead, partnering with third-party same-day delivery providers offers speed, flexibility, and affordability—without the overhead.

Here’s a breakdown of the top same-day delivery services available to small businesses and how to choose the right fit based on your location, order volume, and customer base.

1. Uber Direct

Uber Direct enables retailers to offer white-label same-day delivery using Uber’s driver network. Unlike Uber Eats, this service is built for delivering products—not food—directly from your store to customers. It integrates with major platforms like Shopify, Square, and WooCommerce and can be set up to trigger automatically during checkout.

Best for: Retailers in urban areas needing fast, on-demand delivery
Coverage: Over 6,000 cities globally
Tracking: Real-time delivery tracking for customers

2. DoorDash Drive

DoorDash Drive extends DoorDash’s logistics to businesses that want to control their customer relationship while outsourcing the delivery leg. It supports deliveries of goods, not just meals, and allows for branded packaging, customer service ownership, and scheduled or on-demand drop-offs.

Best for: Boutique shops, florists, gift retailers
Coverage: 7,000+ U.S. cities
Perks: Flat-rate pricing and direct integration with POS systems

3. Roadie (a UPS Company)

Roadie specializes in same-day and even same-hour delivery for large, bulky, or odd-sized items. Because it crowdsources deliveries through gig drivers, it offers flexible pickup and delivery windows without the need for traditional courier contracts.

Best for: Items that don’t fit into a standard shipping box
Coverage: 95% of U.S. households
Unique advantage: Handles same-day delivery for oversized or irregular products

4. Shipt Driven

Shipt Driven is Shipt’s last-mile delivery option for businesses outside of grocery. It offers same-day delivery through a white-labeled solution, giving customers branded experiences while tapping into Shipt’s driver network.

Best for: Retailers wanting branded delivery experience
Coverage: Over 5,000 U.S. cities
Strength: Custom pickup windows and personalized support

5. Instacart Business Delivery

While known for groceries, Instacart now offers same-day delivery for retail partners beyond food. This service is ideal for health, wellness, and convenience stores that already stock high-turnover items.

Best for: Health, beauty, or convenience product retailers
Coverage: 80% of U.S. households
Highlight: Built-in discovery via the Instacart platform

6. Walmart GoLocal

Walmart GoLocal offers same-day delivery services to other businesses using Walmart’s existing delivery infrastructure. It’s not just for items sold by Walmart—small businesses can use GoLocal to reach nearby customers with same-day fulfillment.

Best for: Businesses near Walmart hubs
Coverage: Expanding nationally
Edge: Taps into Walmart’s delivery and logistics network

7. Favor Delivery (Texas-focused)

Favor offers on-demand delivery for businesses in Texas, covering everything from restaurant orders to retail and pharmacy items. While geographically limited, it’s a strong same-day option for brands in that region.

Best for: Texas-based retailers
Coverage: Over 200 cities in Texas
Strength: Hyperlocal service and brand customization

Cashback Tip: Offset Delivery Platform Fees

While these platforms help you compete on speed, delivery service costs can still affect your margins. If you’re handling local shipping or courier fees yourself, you can earn cashback with a UPS virtual card, get rewards with a FedEx virtual card, or earn cashback with a USPS virtual card by paying through Fluz. For small retailers managing both local delivery and national shipping, it’s a smart way to recapture part of your logistics spend.

Choosing the Right Service

When evaluating which same-day delivery provider to use, consider:

• Delivery speed and geographic coverage
  
• Type of product and size constraints
  
• POS or platform integrations
  
• Branded customer experience options
  
• Pricing structure (flat rate, distance-based, etc.)
  

Same-day delivery is no longer a luxury—it’s a scalable option that can help you compete with larger retailers. With the right delivery partner and cashback strategy in place, even small shops can deliver big on customer expectations.