Amazon Launches 1-Hour Delivery
The company is also rolling out a 3-hour option in more than 2,000 cities and towns.
Mar 18, 2026
Amazon is reportedly looking to expedite its delivery services by offering 1-hour and 3-hour shipping in markets across the U.S., reported Reuters. The outlet said the move is “its latest effort to stave off e-commerce competition from its biggest rival Walmart.”
Amazon said this week that its 1-hour delivery option is available on more than 90,000 products, including everyday essentials, toys and toilet paper, and will rely on its existing same-day delivery network. The 60-minute option has launched in major U.S. metropolitan areas as well as smaller cities like Boise, Idaho. The 3-hour option has launched in more than 2,000 cities and towns. Perishable groceries are available in select areas, according to the report.
To ensure the 1-hour and 3-hour orders are fulfilled in the short time, Amazon introduced designated workstations for these orders within existing same-day delivery centers, with new yellow labels placed on packages for easy identification and updated signage throughout the site to direct delivery partners, the company said.
The high-speed delivery will come at an extra fee for customers: Prime members will pay an extra $9.99 for 1-hour delivery and $4.99 for 3-hour delivery. Shoppers without Prime memberships will pay $19.99 for 1-hour orders and $14.99 for 3-hour deliveries.
“Fast delivery has been a significant part of Amazon's push to increase basket sizes and shopping frequency. The company in December announced a separate service called ‘Amazon Now’ to deliver grocery items and everyday essentials in 30 minutes or less in select locations including Seattle and Philadelphia,” Reuters wrote.
Earlier this year, Amazon announced it was closing its Amazon Go c-stores and Amazon Fresh brick-and-mortar grocery stores and consolidating its physical strategy under the Whole Foods brand.
The company said at the time that it is doubling down on online grocery delivery and Whole Foods Market expansion to reach more customers, noting that it will convert certain closed locations to Whole Foods Market stores.
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