If you thought Amazon had delayed in their expansion of Same-Day Delivery, here comes more cities that the retail leader has launched into to further its' apparent nationwide objective. A recent report by Forbes announces that Amazon is adding 11 more major US cities to its' current same-day delivery program. This will brings Amazon's total service area to 27 cities nationwide thus far.
The new US cities that Amazon is expanding into includes Sacramento, Stockton, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Fresno, Louisville, Milwaukee, Nashville, Raleigh, Richmond, and Tucson. Amazon has strategically selected these cities to go with, which is not solely based on market share. With same-day delivery, there are vital components necessary for the service to be successful, which currently are known only big cities have. The market has to have the right demographics in order to generate profit from volume. Also, big cities have the infrastructure to enable fast last-mile deliveries.
Amazon already has free same-day delivery in the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle-Tacoma, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Diego, Indianapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, Orlando, and Atlanta. It also launched free same-day delivery last year in 14 metropolitan cities the US, starting with California cities. At this rate, Amazon is going to be offering an efficient same-day delivery program nationwide within a few years. More than likely, Amazon will implement same-day delivery in more cities as the holiday season get closer as well.
The retailer's Prime service is what is making the difference and showing to be the reason same-day delivery is thriving. "Prime was developed to make shopping on Amazon fast and convenient, and millions of members have used Prime FREE Same-Day Delivery to make their lives even easier,” said Amazon Vice President of Prime Greg Greeley. “We keep making Prime better, and as our operational capabilities grow, we will continue to invent and expand delivery options that customers love.”
Prime members will be able to get same-day service free in these cities for the same $35 qualifying order amount as the others. To attract more regular customers to join Prime, Amazon raised its' minimum order size from $35 to $49 to qualify for free two-day shipping. Customers have millions of items at their disposal to order from Amazon. Prime Now is even available for Prime members, in which they can order tens of thousands of essentials and gift items via native mobile apps and have them delivered within two hours, even restaurant deliveries as well.
For other retailers to compete, they are going to have to engage in same-day delivery to keep up with Amazon. Several e-retailers and physical store chains have opted to partner with a Same-Day Courier like A-1 Express in order to offer same-day services too. The Charlotte Courier has the service footprint, courier expertise and technology to aid any retailer to establish the same-day delivery nationwide.
Reference: 4.8.16, www.forbes.com, Amit Chowdhry, Amazon Adds 11 More Cities To Same-Day Delivery Service