Trending Now - Amazon Launches Express Delivery Options for Quick Shopping
WHO:
Udit Madan, senior vice president of worldwide operations at Amazon, stated, “We saw an opportunity to use our unique operational expertise and delivery network to help make customers’ lives a little easier while unlocking even more value for Prime members.”
Amazon, a Seattle-based company
Udit Madan, senior vice president of worldwide operations at Amazon
WHAT:
Amazon's express delivery service includes a speedy-shipment inventory of 90,000 items.
Amazon's 1-hour delivery is available in hundreds of cities and towns across the U.S.
Three-hour delivery is offered in over 2,000 cities and towns, including large, mid-size, and small cities, as well as surrounding suburbs.
Amazon's express delivery service began testing in late 2025 and expanded on March 17th, 2026.
Amazon's Prime program now offers access to over 300 million items across 35 categories.
A range of products eligible for expedited delivery includes household supplies like paper towels and toilet paper; health and beauty items; over-the-counter medications; electronics; toys; and clothing.
Amazon has introduced expedited delivery options of one hour and three hours for selected products.
Amazon Prime subscribers will be charged $9.99 for one-hour delivery and $4.99 for three-hour delivery.
Non-Prime subscribers will pay $19.99 for one-hour delivery and $14.99 for three-hour delivery.
The service includes a speedy-shipment inventory of 90,000 items.
Amazon is testing an ultra-fast service for deliveries in 30 minutes or less.
WHERE:
One-hour delivery is available in parts of Chicago, Illinois; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; Nashville, Tennessee; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Washington, D.C., as well as in smaller cities including American Fork, Utah.
One-hour delivery is now available in parts of Houston, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Three-hour delivery is available in suburbs such as Cornwall, Pennsylvania; Harrah, Oklahoma; and Arabi, Louisiana.
Available in more than 2,000 cities, towns, and suburban areas across the United States.
One-hour delivery is available in major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, as well as smaller cities like Des Moines, Iowa, and Boise, Idaho.
WHEN:
Amazon stated that it started offering faster U.S. deliveries on March 17th, 2026.
The express delivery service began testing in late 2025 and expanded in March 2026.
Amazon launched its Prime program in 2005.
WHY:
GlobalData retail analyst Neil Saunders stated that Amazon's move better positions the company to compete with big-box stores and local drugstores.
GlobalData retail analyst Neil Saunders noted that Amazon's move is "bad news for drugstores in particular," highlighting that Amazon's prices are often superior for everyday staples.
GlobalData retail analyst Neil Saunders noted that Amazon's move better positions the company to compete with big-box stores and local drugstores.
Amazon aims to use its operational expertise and delivery network to enhance customer convenience and add value for Prime members.
HOW:
Amazon's new delivery options are available seven days a week.
Amazon has utilized robotics and artificial intelligence technology to speed up order fulfillment and has regionalized its U.S. delivery network into eight areas to reduce delivery times.
Amazon has utilized robotics and artificial intelligence technology to speed up order fulfillment.
The company has regionalized its U.S. delivery network into eight areas to reduce delivery times.
(UPDATED March 18, 2026 01:28 UTC)
Amazon has launched an express delivery service that features a speedy inventory of 90,000 items, with one-hour delivery available in hundreds of cities and towns across the U.S. Additionally, three-hour delivery is offered in over 2,000 locations, including large, mid-size, and small cities, as well as surrounding suburbs, all seven days a week. According to GlobalData retail analyst Neil Saunders, this move enhances Amazon's competitive edge against big-box stores and local drugstores.
--
(UPDATED March 17, 2026 23:12 UTC)
Amazon has officially expanded its express delivery service today, March 17, 2026, after testing it in late 2025, with one-hour delivery now available in major cities like Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles, as well as smaller locations like American Fork, Utah. The Prime program has also grown significantly, now offering access to over 300 million items across 35 categories, and senior vice president Udit Madan emphasized that this initiative aims to enhance customer convenience while providing added value for Prime members. Analysts suggest that this development could pose challenges for drugstores, as Amazon's competitive pricing on everyday items continues to disrupt traditional retail markets.
--
(UPDATED March 17, 2026 21:12 UTC)
Today, Amazon announced that starting March 17, 2026, it will offer one-hour delivery in parts of Houston, Nashville, and Oklahoma City, along with three-hour delivery in suburbs like Cornwall, Harrah, and Arabi. Customers can choose from a variety of products eligible for this expedited service, including household supplies, health and beauty items, over-the-counter medications, electronics, toys, and clothing. According to retail analyst Neil Saunders, this move enhances Amazon's competitive edge against big-box stores and local drugstores.
--
(UPDATED March 17, 2026 13:29 UTC)
Amazon has rolled out new expedited delivery options, allowing customers to receive selected products in as little as one hour or three hours, with prices set at $9.99 and $4.99 for Prime subscribers, while non-Prime members will pay $19.99 and $14.99, respectively. This service, which includes a speedy inventory of 90,000 items, is now available in over 2,000 cities and towns across the United States, including major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and Chicago, as well as smaller cities such as Des Moines and Boise. Additionally, Amazon is testing an ultra-fast delivery service aiming for 30-minute delivery times, leveraging robotics and AI technology to enhance customer convenience and streamline its regional delivery network.