AmazonFresh kicks off in Indianapolis

Amazon’s same-day delivery service for fresh foods, AmazonFresh, has launched in Indianapolis.

The e-tail giant said Tuesday that members of the Amazon Prime customer benefits program in Indianapolis can now shop tens of thousands of products — from fresh produce, meat and seafood to groceries, household staples and health and personal care items — for one- or two-hour delivery. Members also can order best-selling items on Amazon.com, including electronics, home and kitchen products, toys and other offerings.

With today’s expansion, AmazonFresh is now available in 19 major markets, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Groceries ordered through AmazonFresh are delivered from Amazon fulfillment centers. AmazonFresh delivery costs $14.99 per month on top of the $119 annual Prime membership. Users get free two-hour delivery for orders of $35 or more (a $4.99 fee is charged for orders less than $35). One-hour delivery costs $4.99 to $7.99 for orders of $35 or more and $9.99 for orders less than $35. New customers can get a 30-day free trial of AmazonFresh and receive $10 off their first order of $35 or more using promotional code “Grocery10” at checkout.

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“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 task and can’t wait for customers in Indianapolis to take advantage of one- and two-hour delivery from AmazonFresh.”

Recently, AmazonFresh has been back on an expansion track. Seattle-based Amazon had dropped the service in some markets as it refined its online grocery offering following the 2017 acquisition of Whole Foods Market. In late August, AmazonFresh got under way in Houston, Minneapolis and Phoenix after a launch in Las Vegas in late June.

Still, expansion of AmazonFresh has lagged that of Prime Now, Amazon’s same-day grocery delivery and pickup service for Prime members, including via Whole Foods stores. In early May, Amazon expanded Prime Now delivery to Whole Foods stores in 88 U.S. markets. Prime Now Pickup service also is offered in 30 metropolitan areas.

Prime Now delivery and pickup are included as part of the Prime membership for those who enroll. Members can go online to shop thousands of items for delivery from Whole Foods (and several other retailers), including fresh and organic produce, bakery, dairy, meat and seafood, floral and daily essentials. Alcohol is also available for delivery to customers in some markets. Both delivery and pickup are free for Prime members on orders of $35 or more (a $4.99 fee is charged for orders less than $35). Two-hour delivery is free for orders $35 and up, while one-hour delivery carries a $7.99 fee. Customers also can get pickup in 30 minutes for a $4.99 fee.

Related:Amazon Prime Now delivery launches at more Whole Foods stores