Azernews.Az

By Bloomberg

Amazon.com Inc. began offering one-hour delivery in Manhattan today, the retailer’s latest effort to connect consumers with products they order online as quickly as possible.

The “Prime Now” program covers delivery of tens of thousands of household goods, including shampoo, paper towels, toys and books, the Seattle-based company said in a statement today. It will expand to additional cities in 2015.

The service makes Amazon more competitive with local retailers, offering customers a delivery option comparable to going to a store and getting an item themselves. It also adds value to Amazon Prime membership, a $99-a-year program offering delivery discounts and video programming.

“There are times when you can’t make it to the store and other times when you simply don’t want to go,” said Dave Clark, Amazon’s senior vice president of worldwide operations, in the statement. “There are so many reasons to skip the trip and now Prime members in Manhattan can get the items they need delivered in an hour or less.”

The service is available through a new app, Prime Now. Two- hour delivery is free to prime members and one-hour delivery is available for $7.99.

Amazon’s new building on 34th Street in Manhattan will also serve as a hub for delivery of Prime Now orders.