Amazon has launched a rapid grocery delivery service that promises to deliver orders in under 30 minutes. Customers can choose from a wide selection of groceries and household essentials, including items like milk, eggs, nappies, and medicines.
The new service, called Amazon Now, is currently being tested in specific postcodes in the Southwark area of London, using bike delivery. Amazon Flex will be used to recruit riders for this service, who will not be directly employed by Amazon.
John Boumphrey, the UK country manager for Amazon, highlighted the speed and convenience of Amazon Now in a blog post on the company’s website. He stated that this service demonstrates Amazon’s dedication to faster delivery, complementing the existing same-day and next-day delivery options available to customers nationwide.
Amazon’s move into ultra-fast deliveries comes after a partnership with Gopuff last year. Amazon Now offers discounted delivery fees for Prime members starting at £1.99 per order, compared to £3.99 for non-Prime members. Additionally, a flat £2 fee applies to orders under £15, regardless of membership status.
Following the closure of its Amazon Fresh grocery stores in the UK last year, Amazon emphasized its focus on enhancing online delivery services. The company clarified that the launch of Amazon Now is a separate initiative from the store closures, reaffirming its commitment to meeting customer needs through diversified service offerings. Amazon continues to expand its online grocery and household essentials sector, recognizing it as a rapidly growing segment of its UK operations.