The new service promises delivery of groceries and essential household items in 30 minutes or less.
E-commerce behemoth Amazon said on Dec. 1 it is rolling out its new “ultra-fast” delivery options in test markets in certain areas of Seattle and Philadelphia, promising delivery of groceries and essential household items in 30 minutes or less.
By utilizing the Amazon Now app, customers in the Seattle and Philadelphia regions can simply click on the “30-Minute Delivery” option in the navigation bar to determine if the service is available in their areas. Those eligible can browse among thousands of items now available for delivery within half an hour of the order placement. Order tracking and driver tipping are also available via the app.
Consumers can choose from items such as milk, eggs, produce, toothpaste, pet food, paper products, diapers, over-the-counter medicines, snacks, seasonal items, and even electronics.
“Amazon is utilizing specialized smaller facilities designed for efficient order fulfillment, strategically placed close to where Seattle- and Philadelphia-area customers live and work,” the statement reads.
“This approach prioritizes the safety of employees picking and packing orders, reduces the distance delivery partners need to travel, and enables faster delivery times.”
Prime members can take advantage of discounted delivery fees starting at $3.99 per order, while non-Prime members pay $13.99 per order. The new 30-minute service also charges a $1.99 basket fee for any orders under $15.
Shares of Amazon’s delivery competitors declined sharply during early trading on Dec. 2. By the market close, Instacart parent Maplebear had recovered much of the loss, but was still down by 2.94 percent, while DoorDash was up by 5.55 percent.
Uber Technologies has also entered the grocery delivery business, but its Uber Eats division is focused more on restaurant deliveries. The stock closed up by 1.17 percent.
Amazon’s shares rose by 0.23 percent for the day.
Earlier this year, Amazon first announced its intention to offer same-day delivery of perishable grocery items in more than 1,000 cities nationwide.
