Amazon Launches Free Same-Day Delivery In California

If someone would have told you that same-day delivery was free, you probably wouldn't believe it. With all of the investment into seamless omnichannel creation that's behind supplying online and store products to shoppers and all of the upfront costs of launching in big cities, you wouldn't think a company could conceivably pull it off. However, retailer Amazon appears to have done it.

The Los Angeles Times has reported that Amazon is making same-day delivery free in 14 metropolitan cities the US. The initial launch will be in California cities in the Southland, including those in San Fernando Valley to Irvine, as well as the Redlands and Moreno Valley in the east. Prime members that make a $35 purchase and up by noon, will receive their online order by 9pm that same day. The initial rollout includes more than 1 million items, such as books, games, cooking tools, and electronics.

Amazon has added 50 fulfillment centers around the world within the last four years. It also has 109 total warehouses to handle the millions of orders it has. With its' vast locations strategically aligned primarily to service major US cities, it has now become feasible for the e-retailer to offer the service free. Chris Rupp, Amazon's vice president of Prime, stated that the free service is "a real-life changer". It will be a huge asset for shoppers that need items right away, from birthday gifts to household goods.

"These things just pop up in life, and this is meant to simplify our customers' lives," Said Rupp in an interview. "Some of the feedback we've gotten from customers is it already feels like we're living in the future." It does appear that Amazon is going future in every sense. The retail giant is one step closer to same-day delivery drones, which the company stated would be probable to deliver packages within 30 minutes. The Federal Aviation Administration has recently approved Amazon to conduct further research on drone use. This would be the very first type of delivery method of its' kind.

This could be considered a soft launch in scope of Amazon's bigger plan. The article stated that more major US cities will receive the service also, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Indianapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle-Tacoma, Tampa Bay, Washington DC, and Atlanta. There will be more than 500 cities and towns included at the launch as well, plus more added in the future.

Google is only one of the many fierce competitors running against Amazon. Google Express is expanding, as well as Wal-Mart, start-up company Deliv, Macy's, Uber, and others are all on the same current seeking to bring same-day success to their shores. It's inevitable that same-day delivery is going to be necessary in order to compete online. A same-day courier like A-1 Express can be a partner of any retailer desiring to implement the service fast. The San Francisco Courier has a nationwide footprint to accommodate broad expansion for any retailer in need.

Reference: 5.28.15, www.latimes.com, Andrea Chang, Amazon rolls out free same-day delivery