Amazon has launched its own rapid grocery delivery service, promising deliveries in under 30 minutes. Customers can choose from a wide selection of groceries and household items, ranging from dairy products and baby essentials to medications. This move puts Amazon in direct competition with supermarkets that already offer similar speedy delivery services through partnerships with delivery companies.
After deciding to close all its Amazon Fresh grocery stores in September, Amazon has now introduced the Amazon Now service in selected London postcodes in the Southwark area, using bike riders recruited through Amazon Flex. John Boumphrey, Amazon UK country manager, highlighted the convenience and speed of Amazon Now in a blog post on the company’s website, emphasizing the commitment to faster delivery for customers across the UK.
Amazon’s decision to roll out its own ultra-fast delivery service comes after partnering with Gopuff in July to provide rapid delivery of various products within 60 minutes, and even as fast as 15 minutes. Prime members can benefit from discounted delivery fees starting at £1.99 per order, compared to £3.99 for non-members. Additionally, a £2 fee applies to orders under £15 for all customers. Prime members already enjoy fast and free delivery on millions of items in all categories.
The company stated that more details about the Amazon Now service will be revealed in the upcoming months, emphasizing its commitment to enhancing the shopping experience for customers in the UK. Amazon’s focus on strengthening its online delivery services was reinforced when it closed its 19 UK grocery stores last year, citing opportunities for substantial growth in online delivery as the reason for the decision.
Five years after launching its till-free stores in London, Amazon’s closure of physical stores marked a rare setback for the company. However, the online delivery partnerships with Morrisons, Co-op, Iceland, and Gopuff continue to expand. Amazon clarified that the launch of Amazon Now is unrelated to the store closures, as both decisions aim to cater to customer preferences effectively. The company remains dedicated to expanding its online grocery and household essentials offerings, which are experiencing rapid growth within its UK operations.