DELIVERY DEADLINE: Amazon confirms its ending popular service for customers – exact date shoppers will see extra delivery benefit disappear
According to The Sun, Amazon has confirmed that it will be discontinuing a well-liked service as part of its efforts to streamline fast shipping options. The online retail giant will shut down Amazon Today, a same-day delivery program that allowed customers to receive orders from local retailers.
Closure Details
The Amazon Today program will stop offering delivery and in-store pickup services with select retailer partners on January 24, 2025, according to a spokesperson for the company. However, customers need not worry, as most of the products previously available through Amazon Today will still be offered via other same-day and next-day delivery methods.
Impact on Employees
The program employed around 175 people, and the majority of those affected will be transferred to other positions within Amazon. The decision to close Amazon Today stems from the company’s observation of a growing overlap between this service and its other fast delivery options, which prompted the need for consolidation.
Program Overview
Launched in 2022, Amazon Today included partnerships with brands like PacSun, GNC, and SuperDry. The program was designed to provide customers with an extensive range of products at remarkable speeds. Retailers participating in the program had to meet Amazon’s rigorous fulfillment standards, which required a 99% pickup readiness rate—meaning orders had to be packed and staged within an hour.
Amazon’s Continued Expansion
Despite the closure of Amazon Today, the company is not slowing down its fast shipping capabilities. An Amazon spokesperson emphasized that, as the selection for Same-Day and One-Day Delivery continues to grow, the decision to end Amazon Today was made to streamline offerings for customers. In the U.S., Amazon provides Same-Day Delivery in over 120 metro areas, allowing Prime members to access tens of millions of popular items across 35 product categories.
New Product Launches
In addition to these changes, Amazon has recently launched a new Fire Stick device, further expanding its product lineup. The company has also announced new Kindle models, including its first-ever color e-reader.
For customers looking to stream TV without spending too much, the new Amazon Fire TV Stick HD will replace the existing Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite. At first glance, the stick appears unchanged, retaining its black rectangular design and offering 1080p Full HD capabilities, just like previous models.
The Lite version has received a minor upgrade: the remote control has been enhanced to include buttons for full TV controls, allowing users to adjust volume and mute without reaching for their main TV remote. This feature is also compatible with soundbars.