Amazon Now 30-minute delivery is moving into more U.S. cities, giving more customers a faster way to order fresh groceries, household basics and last-minute items. Amazon says the service is now widely available in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia and Seattle.
It is also available in parts of dozens of additional cities, including Austin, Houston, Minneapolis, Orlando, Phoenix, Denver and Oklahoma City. The key word is “parts.” Availability depends on the customer’s address, so this is not an instant metro-wide switch.
Fast, but Not Free
Amazon says customers can check the Amazon Now rollout inside the Amazon app or homepage where the option is supported. The delivery fee is $3.99 for Prime members and $13.99 for non-Prime customers. Small orders under $15 add another fee: $1.99 for Prime and $3.99 for non-Prime.
The catalog covers quick-turn essentials like produce, dairy, eggs, bakery items, baby products, pet supplies, personal care items and some electronics. Alcohol is available where local rules allow it. Amazon says the service runs 24 hours a day in most available areas.
Amazon Is Building More Delivery Lanes
The company’s pitch is simple: different jobs need different delivery speeds. Amazon Now sits beside same-day delivery, one-hour and three-hour delivery, drone delivery in some markets and standard Prime shipping. The 30-minute version relies on smaller fulfillment locations placed closer to customers.
That model could be useful for emergency household items, quick groceries or the one thing you forgot before guests arrive. It also makes Amazon more directly competitive with local convenience delivery apps. For another recent service-style tech rollout, check our coverage of the new AI-powered Digg news aggregator.
