Amazon Same-Day Grocery Delivery Expands to 1,000 Cities

Amazon Expands Same-Day Delivery to Include Perishable Groceries

Amazon is extending its Same-Day Delivery service to encompass fresh, perishable food items for customers in 1,000 U.S. cities. This strategic move positions the e-commerce leader to more directly challenge competitors like Instacart and Walmart+ within the rapidly expanding quick-commerce sector.

Expansion Plans

The company intends to broaden the availability of this service to over 2,300 cities before the year concludes. This represents a significant investment in its delivery infrastructure and a commitment to faster grocery delivery.

Grocery Options Now Available

Customers are now able to order a wide variety of fresh grocery products alongside their usual purchases. These include produce, dairy products, meats, seafood, and baked goods.

Quality Control and Temperature Management

Amazon emphasizes the integrity of its perishable deliveries. A “specialized temperature-controlled fulfillment network” is utilized to maintain freshness. Furthermore, each order is subject to a rigorous six-point quality inspection both upon receipt and prior to dispatch.

To ensure optimal conditions during transit, temperature-sensitive items are transported in insulated bags. This helps preserve quality and freshness throughout the delivery process.

Delivery Costs

Prime members benefit from free Same-Day Delivery on orders exceeding $25. A $2.99 fee applies for orders below this threshold. Customers without a Prime membership can access the service for a flat fee of $12.99, irrespective of order value.

Customer Demand

Initial trials in cities like Phoenix, Orlando, and Kansas City demonstrated strong customer adoption of the service. Amazon reports that items such as strawberries, Honeycrisp apples, limes, and avocados are now frequently included in Same-Day Delivery orders.

Impact on Physical Stores

This expansion occurs as Amazon navigates challenges in driving customer traffic to its brick-and-mortar retail locations. The focus on convenient delivery options may be a response to these trends.

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