1-Hour Shipping Now Available from Amazon in US Cities

Amazon is expanding its rapid delivery services in the U.S., introducing 1-hour and 3-hour shipping in cities including Los Angeles and Chicago, aiming to compete more aggressively with Walmart.

The fast-delivery push has been central to Amazon’s strategy to increase order frequency and basket size. In December, the company also launched “Amazon Now,” a service offering grocery and everyday essentials in 30 minutes or less in select markets like Seattle and Philadelphia.

Udit Madan, Amazon’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations, said the service leverages the company’s delivery network to enhance convenience for customers while adding value for Prime members.

The 1-hour service covers over 90,000 products, including essentials, toys, and household items, using Amazon’s same-day delivery infrastructure. It is now available in major metropolitan areas as well as smaller cities such as Boise, Idaho, while the 3-hour service has been rolled out in over 2,000 locations. Select regions also offer perishable groceries.

To handle the accelerated orders efficiently, Amazon has set up dedicated workstations, added yellow package labels for quick identification, and updated site signage to guide delivery partners.

The premium service comes at an additional cost: Prime members pay $9.99 for 1-hour delivery and $4.99 for 3-hour delivery, while non-Prime shoppers pay $19.99 and $14.99, respectively.