Amazon announced Wednesday (November 7) that it is expanding grocery pickup from Whole Foods Market through Prime Now to eight more cities.
In a press release, Amazon said the cities it expanded to include Birmingham, Colorado Springs, Long Island, Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Tacoma and Tulsa. Prime customers in those cities now have the option to shop Whole Foods Market and pick up their orders in as little as 30 minutes, without leaving their cars. Grocery pickup from Whole Foods Market is now available in 22 cities; the service launched in August with plans for continued expansion, Amazon said in the press release. “Pickup from Whole Foods Market is a perfect option for customers who want to grab healthy and organic groceries at their convenience, all without leaving their car,” Whole Foods Market Executive Vice President of Operations Christina Minardi said in the press release. “Grocery delivery through Prime Now has been a hit with our customers and we’re happy to expand the option of grocery pickup to even more Prime members across eight new cities. It’s just another way we’re making it even easier to enjoy Whole Foods Market’s healthy and organic food.”
Prime members have to spend $35 or more and will get free pickup in as little as an hour. Customers who want pickup in 30 minutes pay a $4.99 fee. Customers park in designated pickup spots and Prime Now shoppers will bring the groceries to the customers’ vehicles within minutes. Customers who tell Amazon they are on their way via the Prime Now app will have their groceries ready when they arrive. Pickup from Whole Foods Market is available daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The expansion of grocery pickup at Whole Foods comes at a time when Amazon is experimenting with delivery options. Earlier this week reports surfaced that Amazon is testing a new service dubbed Amazon Day that lets Prime customers choose the day the package is delivered during the checkout process. According to reports, in addition to standard one-day and two-day shipping options, many of the two-day delivery items will come with the option to choose which day of the week the package will be delivered. Reports noted the option will be welcome to those who live in apartment buildings and aren’t home all the time, and it also addresses the issue of stolen packages left on doorsteps. According to a statement Amazon made to CNET, the company is “excited to be testing a new service aimed at making the delivery experience more convenient for customers.”