Amazon has launched an ultra-fast delivery pilot program designed to deliver groceries and other household items in as little as 30 minutes, the company announced Monday afternoon.
The Amazon now (NASDAQ:AMZN) service is available in parts of Seattle and Philadelphia, at a cost of $3.99 for Prime members and $13.99 for non-Prime members. Orders under $15 will be charged an additional $1.99.
The announcement follows last month’s expansion of Amazon Now in the United Arab Emirates, where customers can receive everyday essentials in 15 minutes.
Amazon Now will operate from strategically located urban micro-fulfillment centers, where Amazon Flex on-demand workers will pick up packaged orders for food, snacks, personal care products, electronics, medications, and other merchandise. The centers place essential products close to neighborhoods and work districts, using advanced inventory systems that optimize product selection based on hyperlocal demand to maximize efficiency and speed.
Amazon has also created small specialized facilities in the United Arab Emirates designed exclusively for fast delivery. It also recently launched a two-hour delivery service there for products across 30 categories.
Shoppers in Seattle and Philadelphia can check Amazon’s shopping app and website for the “30-Minute Delivery” option in the navigation bar to see if they have service in their area. They can choose from thousands of food, health, paper, electronics, snacks, medicine and seasonal items, Amazon said.
The Information, which published a story shortly before Amazon’s announcement, noted that convenience store items may be low-margin and sometimes even unprofitable, but they encourage repeat shoppers and attract shoppers to their website, which is beneficial to the overall business.
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