Amazon has recently added Metropolitan Market, a Seattle-based grocer with 10 locations in the region, to its third-party grocery delivery network. This partnership allows customers to order groceries from Metropolitan Market through Amazon’s e-commerce site, in addition to its existing partnerships with Instacart and DoorDash. Metropolitan Market CEO Ron Megahan expressed that this aligns with their commitment to serving customers where they are, while Amazon is expanding its food selection for online shoppers through this collaboration.
Amazon’s history of experimenting with different models and pricing for grocery delivery dates back to the launch of Amazon Fresh in 2007. Following the acquisition of Whole Foods in 2017, Amazon has continued to invest in grocery delivery options, including physical stores under the Amazon Fresh brand. The newly added Metropolitan Market service is available to all customers, with Prime members receiving delivery fee discounts. Prime members can access free same-day delivery on orders over $35 with either a monthly or annual grocery delivery subscription, on top of the annual Prime membership fee.
For Prime members without the subscription, free grocery delivery is available for orders above $80 from select third-party stores. As part of a promotional offer, Prime members can receive free Metropolitan Market delivery on their first three orders over $10. Initially, this service is limited to customers in certain Seattle neighborhoods, including Sammamish, Queen Anne, Tacoma, and Crown Hill. Amazon has a similar third-party delivery agreement with All The Best Pet Care, extending its delivery options beyond groceries to include pet supplies.
In response to increasing competition from retailers like Walmart and Target, Amazon has been expanding its same-day delivery capabilities and strengthening partnerships in various sectors. The collaboration with Grubhub for restaurant delivery is an example of this strategy, while competitors like Uber Eats and Instacart have also formed alliances to enhance their service offerings. By partnering with Metropolitan Market and other local retailers, Amazon aims to provide a wider range of products and services to customers, catering to the growing demand for online shopping and delivery convenience.
Overall, the addition of Metropolitan Market to Amazon’s grocery delivery network reflects the ongoing evolution of Amazon’s services and partnerships in the competitive grocery and delivery sector. With the support of the tech giant’s resources and infrastructure, Metropolitan Market customers now have access to a convenient and reliable delivery option through Amazon’s platform. As Amazon continues to expand its network of partners and delivery services, customers can expect more choices and flexibility in how they shop for groceries and receive their orders, ultimately enhancing their overall shopping experience.
