What’s Next for Amazon: Expanding AmazonFresh Beyond Online Grocery and into Brick-and-Mortar Stores

Dropping monthly fees associated with AmazonFresh and instead making it a free benefit for Prime members is not just about reenergizing Amazon’s online grocery service. It suggests that Amazon intends to use the brand to grow beyond the limitations imposed by Whole Foods-Prime Now relationship.

Behind the scenes, Amazon has clearly been trying to figure out how to balance AmazonFresh and Prime Now, its 1-2 hour delivery service. Since acquiring Whole Foods in 2017, Amazon seems to have given Prime Now more attention, leveraging...

Whole Foods Market and Amazon Bring Back Popular Turkey Deals

Starting on Wednesday, Amazon and Whole Foods Market will offer special savings on organic and classic turkeys in celebration of Thanksgiving. All customers can choose from select organic ($3.49/lb) and classic turkeys ($2.49/lb), and Prime members will save even more on turkeys ($2.99/lb for organic and $1.99/lb for classic).

All turkeys sold at Whole Foods Market must meet the grocer’s strict quality standards, including no antibiotics ever, no animal by-products in their feed, and animal welfare audits by third-party certifier programs like Global Animal Partnership. The turkey offer runs from Nov. 13 through Nov. 28 while supplies last.

“We know our customers care about where their food comes from, and our turkeys meet some of the highest quality standards in the grocery industry. We are excited to...

Amazon to Overtake Walmart by 2022, Forecasts New Packaged Facts Report

Amazon is set to become the largest retailer in the United States. While Walmart is currently the largest retailer, its reign may end in 2022, at which time market research firm Packaged Facts forecasts that Amazon will surpass Walmart, based on the expectation that Amazon sales will continue to grow at a much faster rate.

Packaged Facts made the prediction in the brand new report, Amazon Strategies and the Amazon Shopper, 2nd Edition, which analyzes the e-commerce giant's activities in grocery, pet products, and financial services.

"Amazon's already has an enormous impact on e-commerce sales, benefitting from its creation of an endless online aisle with...

Shop on Amazon, Pay in Cash

Amazon is making it even easier for customers to pay with cash. Amazon PayCode, already available in 19 countries around the world, launches today in the U.S. and allows customers to choose Amazon PayCode at checkout and then pay for their purchase in cash at one of 15,000 Western Union locations. Items ship once customers pay for their purchase in person at a participating Western Union location. Amazon PayCode will be rolling out to customers over the coming weeks.

Separately, Amazon Cash, which enables customers to load cash into their Amazon Balance for making online Amazon purchases, is now available in over 100,000 cash-loading locations nationwide. Customers in the U.S. who prefer to use cash are now...

AmazonFresh Expands to Indianapolis With 1- and 2-Hour Delivery

Amazon today announced that AmazonFresh has expanded to Indianapolis. Beginning today, Prime members in Indianapolis can shop tens of thousands products from meat and seafood to fresh produce and everyday essentials for free two-hour delivery from AmazonFresh.

“We’re thrilled to introduce AmazonFresh to Prime members in Indianapolis,” said Stephenie Landry, Vice President of AmazonFresh and Prime Now. “Prime members tell us they want their stuff even faster. We're happy to deliver on that ask and can’t wait for customers in Indianapolis to take advantage of one- and two-hour delivery from AmazonFresh.”

Prime members can choose from tens of thousands of items across produce, meat, grocery, plus Amazon.com bestsellers from...

AmazonFresh Expands to Houston, Minneapolis and Phoenix With 1- and 2-Hour Delivery

Amazon today announced that AmazonFresh has expanded to three new cities: Houston, Minneapolis and Phoenix. Beginning today, Prime members in those cities can shop tens of thousands products from meat and seafood to fresh produce and everyday essentials for free two-hour delivery from AmazonFresh.

“We’re thrilled to introduce AmazonFresh to Prime members in Houston, Minneapolis and Phoenix,” said Stephenie Landry, Vice President of AmazonFresh and Prime Now. “Prime members tell us they want their stuff even faster. We’re happy to deliver on that ask and can’t wait for customers in Houston, Minneapolis and Phoenix to take advantage of...

Amazon Announces Plans to Expand in Utah with New Fulfillment Center in West Jordan

Amazon.com, Inc. today announced plans to open a new fulfillment center in West Jordan, Utah creating more than 800 full-time jobs starting at $15 an hour with comprehensive benefits starting on day one. Amazon currently employs more than 2,000 full-time associates throughout the State of Utah.

“We’re excited to open a new, state-of-the-art fulfillment center in West Jordan and to continue innovating in a state committed to providing great opportunities for jobs and customer experience. Utah has a talented workforce, and we are very excited to grow employment beyond the more than 2,000 associates already serving customers in the state,” said Alicia Boler Davis, Amazon’s Vice President of Global Customer Fulfillment.

“We are pleased that Amazon has chosen Utah again for such a strategic part of Amazon’s business by setting up another fulfillment center in West Jordan. As the ‘Crossroads of the West,’ Utah is the perfect place for companies in the...

Amazon Announces Plans to Expand in Pennsylvania

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced plans to open its 15th Pennsylvanian operations facility in Pittsburgh, creating more than 800 new, full-time jobs starting at $15 an hour with comprehensive benefits and opportunities in an industry-leading workplace.

“Pennsylvania is a great state for business and Amazon is excited to continue its growth and investment with our newest fulfillment center in Allegheny County,” said Alicia Boler Davis, vice president of global customer fulfillment, Amazon. “For nearly a decade, the Keystone state has been key to Amazon’s ability to serve our incredible customers and provide great selection and super-fast shipping speeds across the Northeast and Midwest regions of the U.S. Since 2010, the company has invested more than $8.5 billion in the state through its local fulfillment center and...

Amazon Share is Declining Amid Online CPG Sales Growth 

Amazon remains the leader in online consumer packaged goods (CPG), continuing to outpace the competition in share of sales and buyers. Yet, its share growth has slowed.

A downward shift in Amazon’s share of CPG sales in the U.S. sends an important message to retailers and manufacturers. Traditional and non-traditional retailers have been accelerating their responses to Amazon by adjusting their omnichannel offerings and strategies. These adjustments have helped them steal share from the global online player, but other factors are at play.

Today, the playing field online has become exponentially more crowded, and while that does bring complications, it also means that many merchants have begun to...

Alexa, How Was Prime Day? Prime Day 2019 Surpassed Black Friday and Cyber Monday Combined

This year, Prime Day was once again the largest shopping event in Amazon history with more than one million deals exclusively for Prime members. Over the two days of Prime Day, on July 15 and 16, sales surpassed the previous Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined. Prime members purchased more than 175 million items throughout the event. Prime Day was also the biggest event ever for Amazon devices, when comparing two-day periods – top-selling deals worldwide were...

Amazon Continues to Change the Face of Retail with Prime Day 

According to the NPD Group, more than half of Amazon Prime members plan to purchase products from Amazon during the Prime Day shopping event on July 15th and 16th. While retailers including Target and Walmart are following Amazon's lead with deals of their own during these dates, only 15 percent of these consumers intend to shop at both Amazon and other retailers.

When surveyed, 70 percent of Amazon Prime members reported to look for deals in advance of Prime Day, and nearly two-thirds are doing so to get an idea of what they wish to buy ahead of time. This planning includes comparing prices with other retailers, with nearly a quarter of consumers purchasing items elsewhere if a lower price is found prior to Prime Day. However, those that do not shop on Prime Day, 69 percent, claim...

The New Black Friday? Prime Day's Halo Effect Spans Beyond Gadgets (And Amazon Itself)

Remember when shopping was primarily a chore? If you’re a Millennial, you might never have thought this way, but it really wasn’t that long ago that shopping was more of a task than an experience—let alone something to look forward to.

Historically, Black Friday was the year’s sole shopping experience. Today, however, the abundance of choice, access and creative marketing give brands and retailers all the ammunition they need to inspire consumers to shop at any time they choose...

Whole Foods Celebrates Prime Members with Exclusive Deals on Customer Favorites Through Prime Day 

Amazon and Whole Foods Market are offering some of the deepest discounts of the year on summertime favorites in celebration of Prime Day. In addition, Prime members who spend $10 at Whole Foods Market in store or on Prime Now will receive a $10 credit to use on Amazon for Prime Day. This offer is available until July 16. Visit wholefoods.com/primeday to learn more. 

“To celebrate our Prime members in an even bigger way this year we will add an additional week..."

AmazonFresh Expands to Las Vegas with 1- And 2-Hour Delivery

Amazon today announced that AmazonFresh has expanded to Las Vegas. Starting today, Prime members in Las Vegas can shop tens of thousands products from meat and seafood to fresh produce and everyday essentials for ultrafast one- and two-hour delivery from AmazonFresh.

“We’re thrilled to introduce AmazonFresh to Prime members in Las Vegas,” said Stephenie Landry, Vice President, AmazonFresh and Prime Now. “Prime members tell us they want their stuff even faster. We're happy to deliver on that ask and can’t wait for customers in Las Vegas to take advantage of one- and two-hour delivery from AmazonFresh.”

With AmazonFresh, Prime members can combine grocery and other shopping into one seamless experience that easily fits into their busy lives. Customers can choose from tens of thousands of items across produce, meat, grocery, plus Amazon.com bestsellers from Amazon devices to electronics, health and personal care, home & kitchen, toys and more...

Amazon Expands Grocery Delivery from Whole Foods Market to Thirteen Metros

Amazon and Whole Foods Market today launched delivery of natural and organic products from Whole Foods Market through Prime Now in Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tenn., Destin and Tallahassee, Fla., Greensboro and Wilmington, N.C., Allentown, Pa., Fort Collins, Colo., Huntsville and Montgomery, Ala., Jackson, Miss., Palm Desert, Calif., and Portland, Maine.

Starting today, Prime members in those cities can shop through Prime Now for thousands of bestselling items including fresh produce, high-quality meat and seafood, everyday staples and other locally sourced items from Whole Foods Market and enjoy delivery in as little as an hour. The service is now available in...

Amazon.com Announces First Quarter Sales

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2019.

Operating cash flow increased 89% to $34.4 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $18.2 billion for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2018. Free cash flow increased to $23.0 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $7.3 billion for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2018. Free cash flow less principal repayments of finance leases and financing obligations increased to $15.1 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $1.1 billion for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2018. Free cash flow less equipment finance leases and principal repayments of all other finance leases and financing obligations increased to an inflow of $11.8 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with an outflow of $3.0 billion for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2018.

On January 1, 2019, we adopted accounting guidance amending the accounting for leases, which did not have a material impact on our first quarter operating results. Prior period amounts were not retrospectively adjusted. Under this new guidance...

Amazon Expands Grocery Delivery from Whole Foods Market

Amazon and Whole Foods Market today launched delivery of natural and organic products from Whole Foods Market through Prime Now in Asheville, Charlottesville, Columbia, Lexington, Little Rock, Manchester, Mobile, Naples and Savannah. Starting today, Prime members in those cities can shop through Prime Now for thousands of bestselling items including fresh produce, high-quality meat and seafood, everyday staples and other locally sourced items from Whole Foods Market and enjoy delivery in as little as an hour. The service is now available in 75 U.S. metros and will continue to expand throughout 2019.

Today also marks another expansion of grocery pickup from Whole Foods Market to Columbus, Ohio. Grocery pickup from Whole Foods Market is available in 30 U.S. metros, with plans for ...

Amazon's Next Push into Grocery Biz Faces Stout Headwinds, Expert Says

While its brick-and-mortar supermarket strategy is likely to add to the pressure, Amazon is hardly set to steamroll top grocers with its purported plans to open stores under a new, more mainstream brand, advised Joe McKeska, Senior Managing Director at A&G Realty Partners.

Observers are buzzing about Amazon's plans, originally reported in The Wall Street Journal, to open "dozens" of grocery stores in leading U.S. markets. However, McKeska cautioned, it's important to remember that existing grocers boast years of experience. They have also been heavily investing in their digital and online capabilities, said the Oak Brook-based executive, whose firm assists retailers with portfolio strategy, due diligence, value-add lease negotiations, and real estate disposition, subleasing, and ...

Checkers & Rally’s Launches Deepest and Most Franchisee-Friendly Delivery Platform in QSR

Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc., today announced the launch of the brand’s new delivery platform, the most comprehensive and franchisee-friendly delivery system in all of QSR. The platform brings five national delivery services – Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, Grubhub and Amazon Restaurants – together under one single, seamless point-of-sale (POS) system. Integrations via Olo will give guests the ability to order the brand’s “Crazy Good Food” from their favorite delivery service, while giving franchisees and restaurant operators a profitable and operationally simple way to fulfill those orders.

“While some of the biggest brands in QSR have committed to a single delivery service, we wanted to give Checkers & Rally’s guests more ways to bring our amazing burgers, famous seasoned fries and exciting flavors to their front doors ...

The Amazon Effect - Nine in Ten Brits Shop on Amazon 

Amazon is the retail phenomenon which started in a garage and now, nearly a quarter of a century later, new research from Mintel reveals that almost nine in ten (86%) Brits are Amazon users/shoppers*. Highlighting the ongoing popularity of the retail giant, according to Mintel, more Amazon shoppers have increased their shopping (21%) with the retailer than decreased it (13%) over the past year. Overall, most (70%) Amazon customers shop with the retailer at least once a month, while just under a fifth (17%) use the retailer on a weekly basis.

In terms of what’s in the basket, hardcopy media (books, DVDs or video games) (39%) remains Amazon’s most popular purchases. This is followed by electricals (30%), fashion/jewellery (30%), and toys (20%). An impressive 45% of ...

Amazon Introduces "Amazon Day" to Reduce Shipping Costs and Carbon Footprint 

Amazon is bringing a new level of delivery convenience and predictability to Prime members with the launch of Amazon Day, available today to all Prime members in the U.S. This new delivery innovation enables Prime members to choose a day of the week to be their delivery day, which makes it easier to get purchases grouped and delivered together and, in many cases, in fewer packages. Members can also choose from Prime’s fast, free shipping options for any item they don’t want to include as part of their Amazon Day shipment. The program is one of many sustainability initiatives to help achieve Shipment Zero, the company’s vision to make all Amazon shipments net zero carbon, with 50% of all shipments net zero by 2030.

“Amazon Day makes shopping throughout the week so easy,” said Susan T. from Wilmington, DE, one of the Prime members who received early access to ...

Amazon.com Announces Fourth Quarter Sales up 20% to $72.4 Billion

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018.

Operating cash flow increased 67% to $30.7 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $18.4 billion for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Free cash flow increased to $19.4 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $8.3 billion for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Free cash flow less lease principal repayments increased to $11.6 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $3.3 billion for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Free cash flow less finance lease principal repayments and assets acquired under capital leases increased to ...

Amazon Introduces New Delivery System 

At Amazon, we continually invest in new technologies to benefit customers. We’ve been hard at work developing a new, fully-electric delivery system – Amazon Scout – designed to safely get packages to customers using autonomous delivery devices. These devices were created by Amazon, are the size of a small cooler, and roll along sidewalks at a walking pace. Starting today, these devices will begin delivering packages to customers in a neighborhood in Snohomish County, Washington.

How will delivery by Amazon Scout work? Customers in Snohomish County order just as they normally would and their Amazon packages will be delivered either by one of our trusted partner carriers or by Amazon Scout. Customers can shop on the Amazon App or amazon.com and ...

Key by Amazon Introduces New Products and Services to Expand Keyless Entry Offerings to Customers 

Amazon today announced new products, features and services supporting Key by Amazon, which puts security, convenience, and control in the hands of customers to offer one common benefit that everyone can enjoy—the magic of being key-free. New offerings include the all-new Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt, the first WiFi-enabled smart lock for Key; Key for Garage with Chamberlin Group (CGI); compatibility with the Ring app for access control; and Key for Business, a smart fob for drivers delivering Amazon packages to commercial and residential properties.

“For the past year, we’ve been thrilled to see how customers have benefited from Key by Amazon. We started with the idea of in-home package delivery and quickly learned that our customers found peace of mind and delight from the control Key gives them over their most important place—their homes—even when they aren’t there themselves,” said Rohit Shrivastava, GM of Key by Amazon. “Key puts security, convenience, and ...