DoorDash partners with Meta to test delivery of Facebook Marketplace items

DoorDash has confirmed that it's partnered with Facebook Marketplace to make this item swap with a stranger a little easier. The company said DoorDash Drive, its business-to-business service that provides drivers to merchants through their own website or app, is now in the early stages of testing a service that will allow DoorDash drivers to pick up and drop off items at Facebook Marketplace. customers.

DoorDash and Facebook parent company Meta currently offer the test in several cities across the United States, giving many drivers another opportunity to earn money. Items eligible for delivery are Marketplace items that can fit in the trunk of a car and must be located up to 15 miles away. DoorDash drivers must complete deliveries within 48 hours or less.

The partnership between DoorDash and Meta attempts to fulfill DoorDash's mission to grow by providing more products beyond food. DoorDash has already expanded to deliver toiletries, prescriptions, household essentials, clothing, cosmetics, and more. The company has partnered with Rite Aid, Bed Bath & Beyond, JCPenney and Sephora, among other retailers.

“DoorDash is always thinking of new ways to support the communities we serve. With access to unparalleled convenience and opportunity through one platform, we are continually exploring and testing new innovations,” wrote the company in a press release.

This service benefits a seller who may not feel comfortable inviting a stranger into their home to pick up an item or vice versa. It is also a useful option for a buyer who is unable to travel, does not have a large enough vehicle, or is having difficulty retrieving their belongings.

It also helps DoorDash continue to compete with Uber Eats, which recently launched a nationwide delivery offering. Last month, Amazon teamed up with DoorDash rival Grubhub to offer Prime members a free Grubhub+ subscription for one year.

This new collaboration with DoorDash would help Facebook Marketplace expand its local delivery options. Today, Facebook Marketplace only allows larger items to be delivered through Dolly, an on-demand delivery company. The catch with Dolly is that it's limited to 45 or more cities across the United States. Meta also allows Marketplace sellers to ship items directly to buyers.

Meta struggles to get young people to use Facebook, with only 32% of teens ages 13-17 using the social platform, according to a recent Pew Research Center study. The alliance with DoorDash could be its attempt to reach younger users since Marketplace is one of the few popular Facebook features with Gen Z, a source told The Wall Street Journal.

DoorDash has also been testing a package return feature since March, allowing customers to return items to the post office, UPS, or FedEx.

Earlier this month, DoorDash announced its second quarter results, reporting 23% year-over-year growth in total orders shipped, bringing the total to a record high of 426 million orders delivered.

In January, DoorDash co-founder and CEO Tony Xu joined Meta's board of directors.