• Amazon expands same-day grocery delivery to over 1,000 U.S. cities.
• Service includes a wide range of perishable items and household goods.
• Prime members receive free delivery on orders over $25.
• The initiative intensifies competition with Walmart and Instacart.
• Delivery planned to expand to approximately 2,300 locations by end of 2025.

Amazon has announced a significant expansion of its same-day grocery delivery service, now available in over 1,000 cities and towns across the United States. This service allows customers to order fresh produce, dairy, meat, seafood, baked goods, and frozen foods alongside other general products like electronics and apparel. These efforts are designed to simplify grocery shopping and improve accessibility for consumers, positioning Amazon as a strong competitor to Walmart and Instacart in the grocery delivery sector, according to CBS News, India Times, and Newsweek.

With plans to expand the delivery service to a total of 2,300 locations by the end of 2025, Amazon aims to integrate its perishable items into its logistics network efficiently. Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores, stated that "we're continuously innovating to make grocery shopping simpler, faster, and more affordable for our customers, especially Prime members." This service targets a seamless shopping experience where consumers can purchase milk and mystery novels in a single transaction, enhancing the convenience of grocery shopping, according to CBS News and India Times.

The service is beneficial not only for Prime members, who enjoy free same-day delivery on orders exceeding $25, but also for non-members who can access it for a fee of $12.99 per order. Amazon emphasizes a high standard for this service, employing a specialized temperature-controlled fulfillment network to ensure the freshness of perishable goods during delivery. Insulated, recyclable bags are used, and a six-point quality check is conducted for items before they leave the warehouse, according to Newsweek and India Times.