Amazon Launches Same-Day Grocery Delivery

E-commerce giant Amazon (AMZN) has launched same-day grocery delivery in more than 1,000 U.S. cities and towns. Consumers can now get same-day delivery of fresh foods such as meat and eggs from Amazon’s online marketplace.The grocery delivery service is available in communities as diverse as Tampa, Florida and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Amazon says that it plans to provide same-day grocery delivery to 2,300 locations by the end of this year.The Seattle-based technology giant adds that shoppers frequently buy strawberries, bananas, avocados and other perishable goods through their online orders.The same-day grocery delivery service is free for Prime members on orders over $25 U.S., or for a $2.99 U.S. fee if an order doesn’t meet that minimum. Shoppers without a Prime membership pay a $12.99 U.S. fee to use the service, regardless of order size.With the launch of same-day grocery delivery, Amazon is ratcheting up its competition against rivals Instacart (CART) and Walmart (WMT), which offer similar services. Earlier this year, Amazon named Jason Buechel, the head of upscale grocer Whole Foods, to lead its worldwide grocery business. Amazon owns Whole Foods. AMZN stock has risen 2% this year to trade at $224.54 U.S. per share.