Amazon Launches 30-Minute Delivery in Four US Cities

Amazon has launched Amazon Now, a new ultrafast delivery service promising orders in 30 minutes or less, now widely available in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, and Seattle. The company plans to expand the service to Austin, Denver, Houston, Minneapolis, Orlando, Oklahoma City, and Phoenix, aiming to reach tens of millions of customers across dozens of U.S. cities by year-end.

Customers can order thousands of items through the Amazon app and website, where eligible products are marked with 30-minute delivery banners. The selection includes fresh groceries such as produce, dairy, and bakery items; household essentials; electronics; personal care products; baby and pet needs; and alcohol where permitted. In most markets, the service operates 24 hours a day.

Prime members pay a $3.99 delivery fee per order, while non-Prime customers pay $13.99. Orders under $15 incur additional small-order fees of $1.99 for Prime members and $3.99 for non-Prime members. Amazon uses a network of smaller fulfillment centers positioned near customers' homes and workplaces to enable the rapid turnaround, differing from its larger regional warehouses. This setup reduces travel distances for...