Same day delivery represents an opportunity area for retailers as delivery partners can make it a reality across a wider swath of the country than Amazon, which covers 27 U.S. markets at present, according to a new report from L2. See what other insights the report uncovered, including consumer expectations for fast shipping and how one major retailer is pivoting to the new reality.
Google has expanded its two-day Google Express delivery service to 40 million new customers in the Midwest, now offering it in 17 states in its push against the dominance of Amazon Prime. See where it has grown and what retailers are using it.
Even when bias is completely unintended and based simply on business rules, perception can often be taken for reality. Thus Amazon did the right thing, reacting to protests by expanding free Prime Now service to minority neighborhoods in New York and Boston, and should quickly follow suit in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Washington DC.
Next month Amazon plans to offer Prime Now via its website, significantly increase the reach of the service which until now was limited to access via its mobile app.
Amazon is once again on the move in logistics and delivery, with Reuters reporting its courier-based Amazon Flex network is making parcel deliveries in addition to the typical everyday goods being sent to Prime members.
Reuters said Amazon did acknowledge that drivers for Amazon Flex in Texas had already begun mixing in parcel deliveries with regular Prime Now orders. Amazon Flex, which allows couriers to sign up for delivery shifts via an app, is currently available in 14 cities including Seattle, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Dallas.
Joining the likes of Uber, Postmates and FedEx, Amazon is facing a lawsuit from contract delivery drivers who claim they should be classified as employees
Amazon Flex pushes into Uber territory by tapping independent contractors to fulfill one- and two-hour orders for Prime members in 11 metro areas.
Uber plans to provide dozens of retail and apparel brands in New York and San Francisco with same-day delivery, and is in talks with ecommerce platforms.
Players from Amazon to Postmates, Instacart and Uber, even the USPS are chasing a piece of the same-day delivery action. For retailers thinking about it, here are a few questions to consider.
While the extent of consumer demand for same-day delivery remains an open question, activity and investment around it remains red hot.