Amazon is doubling down on same-day fresh food delivery.
The company has expanded its Same-Day Delivery service for perishable groceries to more than 2,300 cities and towns across the United States, marking one of its biggest grocery rollouts to date. Amazon confirmed the milestone in a Wednesday announcement, noting that continued expansion into additional areas is scheduled for 2026.
The service originally launched in major cities including Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, and New York City. It now reaches other destinations, including Boise, Salt Lake City, Fort Collins, Omaha, Sugar Land, Des Moines, Kennesaw, and Gaithersburg.
Fresh food becomes the top order
The company says customers have embraced the service faster than expected.
Amazon reports that in areas where same-day perishables are available, nine of the top 10 bestselling items are now fresh foods. Popular picks include bananas, avocados, blueberries, apples, and limes. The one non-food item rounding out the list is a familiar household essential: a 12-pack of bathroom tissue.
The company has expanded the number of perishable grocery items available for same-day delivery by more than 30% since August, adding thousands of options, including popular picks from Whole Foods Market.
This convenience is also changing how often customers shop. Amazon noted that shoppers “who add fresh groceries to their Same-Day Delivery orders shop about twice as often as those who don’t,” making the service a powerful tool for customer retention.
“The selection, value, and convenience of Same-Day Delivery from Amazon makes grocery shopping that much easier for families across the country,” said Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores. He added, “We’re seeing customers combine their fresh grocery orders with their regular Amazon purchases, like electronics, gifts, clothes, and household essentials, in ways that make their lives easier and save them valuable time.”
Pricing and prime perks
For Prime members, Same-Day Delivery is free on orders over $25 in most locations. Orders below that threshold incur a $2.99 fee. For non-Prime customers, Same-Day Delivery is available for a flat $12.99, regardless of order size.
Amazon has long wanted a bigger share of America’s grocery spending, a market worth over a trillion dollars. With 150 million Americans already shopping for groceries on Amazon and over $100 billion in grocery-related sales in 2024, the company is doubling down on speed, convenience, and selection.
This latest expansion also raises competitive pressure on Instacart, Walmart, DoorDash, and traditional grocery chains, many of whom rely on slower fulfillment networks or third-party delivery partners.
Amazon says it will continue to open new markets next year while also improving delivery speeds. The company is simultaneously testing Amazon Now, an ultra-fast service promising delivery in 30 minutes or less in select cities.
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