Amazon is strengthening its presence in the US grocery market by focusing on competitive pricing, selection, and fast delivery. The company announced that its Amazon Grocery service, dedicated to the online sale of fresh produce, packaged foods, and everyday items, is now available with same-day delivery in over 2.300 US cities and towns. This strategy aims to capture a growing share of American household spending by integrating grocery purchases with other product categories available on the platform.
Over the past six months, Amazon has added over 6.000 new items to its grocery assortment, including fruits and vegetables, dairy, pantry items, and household goods. These additions include more than 300 items under the 365 by Whole Foods Market brand, as well as products from companies such as Dove, Starbucks, Pillsbury, and Birds Eye. Its same-day fulfillment centers can offer tens of thousands of grocery and household items, a selection that, according to Amazon, is four times larger than that of a traditional supermarket.
The service allows customers to purchase fresh produce, meat, frozen foods, and other items from a single cart, without having to place separate orders. For Amazon Prime members, same-day delivery is free with a minimum spend of $25, while for smaller amounts, it costs $2,99. Customers without Prime membership pay $12,99, regardless of the order value. Amazon Now is also available in select cities, allowing customers to receive thousands of products within 30 minutes, with further service expansions planned for next year.
The sales policy also focuses on private label products. The Amazon Grocery and Amazon Saver lines include over 1.200 items, most of which are sold for less than $5. The group also emphasizes that, through the Subscribe & Save program, coupons, and promotions, customers saved an average of over $230 on groceries, household products, and other items last year. Additional discounts, ranging from 15% to 20% on select products, are available for certain low-income consumers through Amazon Access.
According to the company, Amazon is now the second-largest grocery retailer in the United States. Over the past year, Prime members have more than tripled the monthly number of fresh grocery orders placed through its free same-day delivery service, a result that demonstrates the growing integration of grocery shopping into shopping habits on the platform.
In anticipation of Thanksgiving, Amazon is also offering a $25 complete meal, including an 3,6-pound frozen Butterball turkey, side dishes, and dessert ingredients. Until November 26th, while supplies last, frozen turkeys will be available starting at $0,79 per pound and fresh turkeys starting at $0,99 per pound, as well as promotions on other traditional holiday items.
The initiative confirms Amazon's desire to compete more directly with large US grocery chains, leveraging its logistics infrastructure and the ability to consolidate grocery and other product purchases into a single order. This strategy makes delivery speed, along with price and assortment, a key competitive factor in the US market.
