Amazon expands perishable delivery

Amazon rolls out free same day delivery for Prime members on groceries and basic items in over 1,000 cities.

Amazon expands perishable delivery into more markets

Amazon is expanding its Prime same day delivery to include thousands of perishable items like dairy and fruit. The service is now available in more than 1,000 cities with plans to reach 2,300 by year end. Prime members get free same day delivery on orders over $25. Non Prime customers pay $12.99 for same day delivery regardless of order size. In the past Prime grocery orders were fulfilled through Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods Market.

The expansion follows earlier tests in Phoenix, Orlando and Kansas City. Amazon says the move will put fresh groceries into its delivery network alongside electronics and other essentials. The rollout is expected to pressure rivals such as Walmart, Kroger and Target, and Amazon shares rose about 1% on the news. The company notes that many first time grocery shoppers become repeat buyers, and it highlights strong demand for items like strawberries in its same day delivery carts.

This move signals a shift toward greater convenience for Prime members. By letting perishables share a cart with non perishables, Amazon aims to make Prime a one stop shopping experience for home needs. The plan to use artificial intelligence to tailor stock to local tastes shows a push toward more personalized inventory. That approach could improve sales but also add costs and margin pressure as the network expands. Competitors may respond with faster delivery offerings and more aggressive pricing, reshaping the grocery battle in the coming months.

Highlights

The shift underlines how delivery speed is becoming a core feature of retail choice.