SEATTLE — Amazon is testing half-hour or quicker deliveries of groceries and household essentials in parts of Seattle and Philadelphia, the e-commerce giant said on Monday.
Prime members enjoy discounted delivery fees starting at just $3.99 per order—compared to $13.99 for non-Prime customers—adding even more value to your membership. A small basket fee of $1.99 applies to orders under $15. Shop from a wide range of essentials and favorites, including milk, eggs, fresh produce, toothpaste, cosmetics, pet treats, diapers, paper goods, electronics, seasonal items, over-the-counter medicines, snacks, and more.
Customers in the Seattle and Philadelphia areas can check the Amazon app and homepage and look for the “30-Minute Delivery” option in the navigation bar to learn if they have the service in their area. Eligible customers can browse the thousands of items available for delivery in minutes. Customers can track their orders and have the option to tip their drivers.
Amazon Now is part of the Amazon shopping app and website for customers shopping in eligible areas. Customers in the Seattle and Philadelphia areas can check the Amazon app and homepage and look for the “30-Minute Delivery” option in the navigation bar to learn if they have the service in their area. Eligible customers can browse the thousands of items available for delivery in minutes. Customers can track their orders and have the option to tip their drivers.
Amazon said it is utilizing specialized smaller facilities designed for efficient order fulfillment, strategically placed close to where Seattle- and Philadelphia-area customers live and work. This approach prioritizes the safety of employees picking and packing orders, reduces the distance delivery partners need to travel, and enables faster delivery times.
With approximately 535 Whole Foods Market stores and 60 Amazon Fresh stores, Amazon has a small fleet compared to rival Walmart, which runs more than 5,000 U.S. locations, or even Target, with nearly 2,000. But its delivery operation is increasingly able to compete with that, according to Bank of America analysts led by Justin Post. The service also vies with the likes of Instacart and DoorDash, the analysts noted.
“While this offering is in early test mode, we think Amazon Now is potentially an important step toward Amazon matching or even surpassing the immediacy benefit of in-store purchasing,” Post said in a Tuesday client note.
