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Amazon expands grocery delivery to non-Prime members
The Seattle-based retail giant also said it will soon include delivery and free pickup for non-Prime members from its 500-plus Whole Foods Market locations.
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The company also is moving forward with its plan to redesign the look and feel of its brick-and-mortar stores. / Photo courtesy: Amazon Fresh
Amazon has changed course yet again on its policies surrounding Amazon Fresh grocery delivery, making the service available to everyone—not just Amazon Prime members, according to an announcement Thursday.
The Seattle-based retail giant also said it will soon include delivery and free pickup for non-Prime members from its 500-plus Whole Foods Market locations, making the service available to customers in more than 3,500 cities across the country.
The company also plans to open new Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods stores in 2024 "as it continues to iterate and experiment, introducing new features and programs to better serve customers," the company said.
In addition to the Whole Foods expansion, Amazon has partnered with a variety of local and regional grocers currently available on its website, offering delivery to grocers and retailers such as Bristol Farms, Cardenas Markets, Pet Food Express, Weis Markets and Save Mart.
The recent announcement on delivery is Amazon’s third change to its delivery structure this year. In February, the company raised the purchase threshold for free delivery for Prime subscribers from $35 to $150. That was rolled back to $100 in early October.
“We’re always looking for ways to make grocery shopping easy, fast, and affordable for all of our customers. Now, all customers can order groceries online for delivery or pickup from Amazon Fresh across the U.S., with Whole Foods Market coming soon—even if they don’t have a Prime membership,” said Claire Peters, vice president of Amazon Fresh, in a statement. “This marks another step in Amazon’s journey to build a best-in-class grocery shopping experience offering incredible selection, value, and convenience.”
Amazon Prime members will still receive free delivery for Amazon Fresh orders over $100, the company said.
The company also is moving forward with its plan to redesign the look and feel of its brick-and-mortar stores. In August, the retailer revamped two of its Chicago-area locations, giving them a more vibrant and friendly feel with drop-down ceiling fixtures, faux wood paneling and friendlier lighting, among other updates.
During the company’s second-quarter earnings call in early August, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said the company will continue the overhaul project with its Southern California area locations.
The company's recent announcement noted that more than 90% of shoppers at its redesigned Amazon Fresh stores in September said they were “very satisfied” with the updates. The next stores to go through the redesign are in the Los Angeles areas of Pasadena, Irvine and Woodland Hills.
“The company’s unparalleled selection in these stores includes over 2,000 new national and private-label brand products, a Krispy Kreme Doughnut shop and more,” the company said in a statement. “Amazon is committed to delivering value, and these Amazon Fresh stores now offer customers everyday sales and low prices on even more core grocery items.”
