Amazon Launches Paid One-Hour Delivery, Expands Return Network and Buys Robotics Firm
Amazon rolled out new one-hour delivery for 90,000 SKUs in hundreds of cities and three-hour delivery in over 2,000 towns, charging Prime members $9.99 and $4.99 fees respectively (non-members pay $19.99 and $14.99). It also added 1,500 FedEx Office and over 10,000 drop-off return locations and acquired robotics firm RIVR to streamline last-mile logistics.
1. Expanded Fast Delivery Options
Amazon introduced one-hour delivery for 90,000 SKUs in hundreds of cities including Los Angeles, Chicago and Boise, and three-hour delivery in over 2,000 towns. Prime members pay $9.99 for one-hour and $4.99 for three-hour windows, while non-members pay $19.99 and $14.99 respectively, with plans to add more areas this year.
2. Enhanced Return Network
The company added 1,500 FedEx Office locations and expanded free returns to over 10,000 drop-off points at Whole Foods, UPS Store, Kohl’s, Staples and select grocers. Four out of five customers now have a return location within five miles, requiring no box, label or tape for eligible items.
3. Robotics Acquisition
Amazon acquired Swiss startup RIVR, which develops four-legged delivery robots capable of navigating urban streets and climbing stairs. The robots ride in vans with drivers and autonomously complete doorstep drop-offs to improve efficiency in high-density delivery zones.
4. Logistics Infrastructure Investment
A $4 billion investment in rural delivery stations and predictive AI inventory placement has expanded same-day and next-day reach to 9,000 cities and 4,000 smaller towns. Last year Amazon delivered over 13 billion items same- or next-day globally, with U.S. Prime deliveries up 30% to more than 8 billion items.