Amazon has initiated its own rapid grocery delivery service, promising deliveries in less than 30 minutes. Customers can select from a wide range of groceries and household essentials, including items like milk, eggs, nappies, and medicines.
This move pits Amazon against supermarkets that have existing partnerships with delivery companies offering similar speedy services. The decision to launch this service follows Amazon’s closure of all Amazon Fresh grocery stores last September.
The new Amazon Now service is currently being trialed in specific postcodes in the Southwark area of London using bike delivery, with plans for expansion in the near future. Delivery riders will be sourced through Amazon Flex, operating as independent contractors.
In a blog post on Amazon’s website, John Boumphrey, Amazon UK’s country manager, highlighted the convenience and speed of Amazon Now, emphasizing the delivery of thousands of items in under half an hour. This service builds on Amazon’s existing commitment to swift deliveries, providing same-day or next-day delivery for millions of products nationwide.
Amazon’s introduction of ultra-fast deliveries comes after its partnership with Gopuff last July, offering customers the ability to receive various goods within an hour, with some items arriving as quickly as 15 minutes. Prime members can enjoy discounted delivery fees starting at £1.99 per order, compared to £3.99 for non-members, with a flat £2 fee for orders under £15.
The company expressed intentions to share more details about the service in the coming months, aiming to enhance customer shopping experiences by simplifying the process, making it faster and more cost-effective. Amazon reaffirmed its focus on online delivery services following the closure of its physical grocery stores, emphasizing its commitment to meeting customer needs effectively.
The closure of Amazon’s grocery stores last year marked a strategic shift towards online delivery services, aligning with the company’s evaluation of growth opportunities in the digital marketplace. Despite the closure of its physical stores, Amazon continues to strengthen its online grocery and household essentials offerings, a rapidly expanding segment of its UK operations.