A worker unloads boxes from an Amazon delivery van in San Francisco on Oct. 24, 2024.
David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Amazon is expanding its rapid delivery machine to more rural corners of the U.S.
The company said Tuesday it plans to bring same- or next-day delivery to more than 4,000 smaller cities, towns and rural communities across the country “for the first time” by the end of this year.
The move is part of a previously announced small-town expansion that will see Amazon spend roughly $4 billion by the end of 2026 to triple the size of its rural delivery network.
Amazon has made speedy delivery a cornerstone of its juggernaut e-commerce business as it faces heightened competition from brick-and-mortar stalwarts such as Walmart, and newer entrants including Temu, Shein and TikTok Shop, which have hooked shoppers with their ultradiscounted wares.
“This expansion goes beyond speed — it’s about transforming daily life for rural customers, who typically live farther from brick-and-mortar retailers, have fewer product and brand choices, and face limited delivery options when shopping online,” Amazon said in a release.
The announcement comes as Amazon prepares to kick off its longest-ever Prime Day. The 96-hour event will run four days this year starting at 12:01 a.m. PT on July 8, and continuing through July 11.
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