Amazon has begun rolling out one‑hour and three‑hour delivery options across much of the United States, offering faster shipping for tens of thousands of everyday products—for an additional fee, according to the press release.
Amazon’s One-Hour Delivery Option—The Details
The e‑commerce giant said one-hour delivery is already available in hundreds of cities and towns across the U.S, while three-hour delivery is live in over 2,000 cities and towns, covering about 90,000 items.
Eligible products include pantry staples, over‑the‑counter medications, household cleaning supplies, electronics, clothing, and other commonly purchased goods.
Amazon Prime members can choose three‑hour delivery for $4.99, while non‑Prime customers pay $14.99. One‑hour delivery, available in hundreds of locations, costs Prime members $9.99 and nonmembers $19.99.
The faster delivery options are currently offered in major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., as well as smaller areas including Des Moines, Iowa, and Boise, Idaho.
Udit Madan, Amazon’s senior vice president of worldwide operations, said the company saw an opportunity to leverage its existing logistics network to save customers time while adding value for Prime subscribers.
“Our customers are busier than ever and are looking for new ways to save time while keeping their households running. 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.”
Why Amazon Is Launching Expanded One-Hour Delivery Options
Amazon said the service is expanding this month after testing began late last year.
According to The Associated Press, the new delivery windows rely on Amazon’s same‑day fulfillment infrastructure, which has been enhanced through robotics, artificial intelligence, and a regionalized delivery network designed to shorten shipping distances.
Amazon has steadily accelerated delivery speeds over the past decade as consumer expectations for convenience have grown.
The company launched its Prime membership program in 2005 with free two‑day shipping on a limited selection of items.
Today, Prime members have access to hundreds of millions of products, with many available for free same‑day or next‑day delivery.
Madan said: “We’re excited to say that two decades after Prime first launched, we’re still innovating to make delivery even faster, while maintaining the same everyday low prices and vast selection Amazon is known for.”
The move also reflects intensifying competition in the retail sector. The AP reported that Walmart—Amazon’s largest rival in the U.S.—has heavily invested in rapid fulfillment and says it now offers same‑day delivery in under three hours to about 95 percent of the U.S. population—up from 76 percent three years ago.
What’s Next for Amazon Shipping
Amazon said it’s also experimenting with even faster options and has been testing a separate service—Amazon Now—that promises deliveries in 30 minutes or less in select markets in the U.S., namely certain areas across Seattle and Philadelphia.
