Amazon is testing 30-minute deliveries

Source: The Verge

Amazon Now tests 30‑minute delivery

Third time’s the charm?

Amazon is starting to test ultra‑fast deliveries that aim to drop household goods at your doorstep in 30 minutes or less. The Amazon Now service is launching now in parts of Seattle and Philadelphia, according to Amazon’s announcement, allowing eligible customers to shop for a curated selection of items and receive them within half an hour.

Eligibility: Customers must have an Amazon Prime membership and be located within the designated delivery zones.
Product range: The pilot focuses on everyday essentials such as snacks, toiletries, and small household items.
Pricing: Delivery fees are comparable to the existing Prime Now service, with free delivery for orders that meet a minimum spend threshold.

Amazon says the new service builds on its previous “Prime Now” experiments, which previously offered one‑hour deliveries in select cities. By cutting the window to 30 minutes, Amazon hopes to compete more directly with on‑demand grocery and convenience‑store apps.

The company is also testing the logistics behind the ultra‑fast model, including the use of micro‑fulfillment centers located closer to customers and a fleet of delivery drivers equipped with real‑time routing software.

What’s next?

If the pilot proves successful, Amazon may expand the 30‑minute delivery window to additional markets and broaden the product catalog. The move signals Amazon’s continued push to dominate the last‑mile delivery space and set new expectations for speed in e‑commerce.