If you aren't already an Amazon Prime member, this might convince you to take the plunge
Amazon Is Making Delivery Even Better for Millions of Customers—Here’s Who Will Benefit
Published on Jun. 26, 2025
With Amazon Prime Day just around the corner, it’s no secret that Amazon is soon to be dishing up some of the best deals of the year. But Prime Day (which falls from July 8 to July 11 this year) isn’t the only major event happening at Amazon right now. The massive online retailer just announced some seriously big changes that are soon to make shopping online better for millions of Amazon Prime members all over the country.
Keep reading to find out which changes Amazon is making to its delivery service, and when these updates will go into effect.
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What changes is Amazon making to its delivery service?
Amazon just announced that it will be expanding its same-day and next-day delivery options to people living in more than 4,000 small towns, cities and rural communities around the United States. The massive online retailer is using AI tools to help predict which items customers in each area want most, to ensure that those items are in stock and available for speedy delivery. Think of it as Amazon tailoring its inventory to individual communities. After all, people in small cities and towns need different items, depending on which stores are nearby and what they carry. Who knew Amazon hauls were so regionally specific?
Who will benefit?
The tens of millions of Amazon customers across the United States who live in rural areas, towns and smaller cities are going to reap the biggest benefits from Amazon’s massive changes. Instead of only people in major cities having access to speedy delivery services, people in more than 4,000 small towns—from Fort Seneca, Ohio, to Lewes, Delaware, to North Padre Island, Texas, and Asbury, Iowa—will be able to get their Amazon orders ASAP.
Amazon’s efforts are all aimed at helping people who don’t live near many brick-and-mortar stores get the items they need quickly, and at affordable prices. For people with otherwise limited delivery options for online shopping, Amazon’s new expansion is a total game-changer.
Are there restrictions on what’s eligible for same-day and next-day delivery?
The expanded shipping services, just like the current same-day and next-day delivery, are only available to Amazon Prime members. And not every item on Amazon is available for same-day or next-day shipping, regardless of where you live, but the assortment of items that are available is impressive, to say the least! To qualify for free same-day and next-day delivery, Prime members just need to spend $25 or more at checkout.
Among the most popular items that are available for same-day and next-day delivery are Amazon’s collection of everyday essentials, which is basically a broad assortment of budget-friendly grocery and household items. Think of everyday essentials as the types of things you need in a pinch, like toilet paper and toothpaste, or even dog food and cat litter.
When will the new services begin?
Amazon is currently in the process of expanding its same-day and next-day delivery services to more than 4,000 small cities, towns and rural communities, and they intend to achieve their goal by the end of 2025. By the end of 2026, Amazon aims to triple the size of its delivery network, ensuring these smaller and more remote communities can get their Amazon packages as quickly as possible.
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Source:
AboutAmazon.com: “Amazon’s bringing faster Prime delivery speeds to thousands of smaller cities, towns, and rural communities”
