Amazon, the online retail giant, has launched its own rapid grocery delivery service promising delivery within 30 minutes. Customers can choose from a wide range of groceries and household essentials, including items like milk, eggs, nappies, and medicines.
This move pits Amazon directly against traditional supermarkets that have existing partnerships with delivery services offering similar speedy deliveries. Last September, Amazon announced the closure of all its Amazon Fresh grocery stores, leading to this new initiative.
The new service, named Amazon Now, is currently being tested in specific postcodes in the Southwark area of London using bike couriers. Amazon plans to expand this service to more areas in the upcoming months. The delivery riders will be recruited through Amazon Flex, a program where they are not directly employed by Amazon.
John Boumphrey, the Country Manager of Amazon UK, highlighted the convenience of Amazon Now in a blog post on the company’s website. He emphasized the speed and efficiency of delivering thousands of products in less than half an hour, showcasing Amazon’s dedication to faster delivery services.
Furthermore, Amazon’s decision to introduce ultra-fast deliveries follows its collaboration with Gopuff in July. This partnership aimed to provide customers with quick access to a wide range of products, from fresh food to cleaning supplies, within an hour, with some items arriving in as little as 15 minutes.
Prime members will enjoy discounted delivery fees for Amazon Now, starting at £1.99 per order compared to £3.99 for non-members. Orders under £15 will incur a £2 fee regardless of membership status. Prime members already benefit from free, fast delivery on millions of items across various categories.
Amazon reiterated its commitment to enhancing the shopping experience for customers in the UK through continuous improvement and affordability. The company stated that upcoming announcements would further enhance its offering to make shopping more convenient, faster, and cost-effective for its customers.
Following the closure of its physical grocery stores in the UK last September, Amazon shifted its focus to online delivery services. The decision to close the stores was based on a thorough evaluation of business operations and the significant growth opportunities in the online delivery sector.
Despite the closure of its physical stores, Amazon’s online grocery and household essentials segment remains a rapidly growing part of its business in the UK. The company emphasized that the launch of Amazon Now is a separate decision from the store closures and is part of its ongoing commitment to catering to customer preferences effectively.