According to an announcement on March 17, eligible items include: necessities, household goods, health and beauty products, over-the-counter medicine, electronics, toys, apparel, and home goods, mirroring categories found at major retail centers.
The one-hour delivery service is currently available in hundreds of cities and towns, including parts of Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., along with some smaller areas. Meanwhile, three-hour delivery covers over 2,000 communities. Amazon stated it will continue to expand these services in the near future.
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An Amazon delivery driver holding a package. Photo: Amazon |
The accelerating trend of rapid delivery
Retail giants are boosting rapid delivery services to meet consumer demand for convenience. Walmart has extended three-hour delivery to 95% of US households, and Target has enhanced its same-day delivery capabilities.
Unlike many competitors who leverage physical store networks, Amazon relies on its network of Same-Day Delivery centers. This model allows for the entire order process — from storage and sorting to final delivery — to be handled within a single facility.
Additionally, artificial intelligence algorithms predict demand and optimize inventory placement, thereby shortening order processing times.
Boosting speed for market competition
Amazon stated the new options will increase delivery speed this year, amidst direct competition with Walmart. CEO Andy Jassy previously noted that same-day delivery is the company's fastest-growing segment, with order volume increasing by nearly 70% in 2025.
The company is also piloting a 30-minute delivery service, Amazon Now, in certain areas, focusing on essential goods and food.
An Amazon representative stated that the expansion of rapid delivery aims to leverage operational capabilities and the delivery network to enhance customer experience and add value for Prime members.
For Prime customers, the one-hour delivery fee is USD 9.99, and the three-hour fee is USD 4.99. For non-Prime customers, these fees are USD 19.99 and USD 14.99, respectively.
The Dan (according to Supply Chain Dive)
