Amazon Expanding Same-Day Grocery Delivery Service
Amazon is bringing its same-day delivery service of fresh groceries to more than 1,000 U.S. cities and towns, with plans to expand to more than 2,300 communities by the end of 2025.
Touted by the company as one of its "most significant grocery expansions," shoppers will have the option to order produce, dairy, meat, seafood, baked goods, and frozen foods, alongside the millions of items already available for same-day delivery on Amazon.com, such as household essentials, electronics, fashion, and home and garden.
For Prime members, same-day delivery is free for orders of more than $25 in most cities. If an order doesn't meet the minimum, members can still choose same-day delivery for a $2.99 fee. For customers without a Prime membership, the service is available with a $12.99 fee, regardless of order size.
"We're continuously innovating to make grocery shopping simpler, faster, and more affordable for our customers, especially Prime members," said Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores. "By introducing fresh groceries into our same-day delivery service, we're creating a quick and easy experience for customers."
Amazon officials said the company's specialized temperature-controlled fulfillment network is designed to ensure consumers receive fresh perishables. Each item undergoes a six-point quality check upon arrival and before leaving for delivery. Temperature-sensitive products are delivered in insulated bags that are recyclable in most curbside recycling programs, the same ones used for Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market deliveries, to ensure items remain at appropriate temperatures.
The company began adding perishable groceries to its same-day service in several cities such as Phoenix, Orlando, and Kansas City. Early adoption in these regions showed the popularity of groceries among Prime members, with strawberries consistently knocking AirPods out of the top five bestsellers of all products sold. The service is now being expanded to cities such as Raleigh, Milwaukee, Tampa, and Columbus, Ohio, among others.
"After trying this service for occasional items, customers have discovered how much we've simplified online grocery shopping," Herrington added. "For example, of course, you can order cookware for same-day delivery, but now you can add everything you need alongside it for grandma's chicken soup recipe—all the fresh veggies, broth, noodles, herbs, chicken, and even bowls to serve it in. Just add what you need in one order, and we handle the rest."
