Amazon’s Grocery Game: A New Subscription for Prime and EBT Members
A Deeper Dive into Amazon’s Grocery Delivery Service
Amazon has officially launched a new grocery subscription service for Prime members and EBT card holders in the U.S., expanding its reach to over 3,500 eligible cities and towns. This move comes after successful pilot programs in Denver, Colorado; Sacramento, California; and Columbus, Ohio, where Amazon began testing grocery delivery last year.
The subscription offers two tiers: $9.99 per month for Prime members and a discounted $4.99 per month for registered EBT card holders. Subscribers enjoy free deliveries on orders over $35 from various retailers, including Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, Cardenas Markets, Save Mart, Bartell Drugs, Ceremony Support, Pet Food Express, and Mission Wine & Spirit, all accessible through the Amazon website.
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A 30-day free trial is available before any subscription fees apply. Beyond free delivery, the subscription boasts several perks: one-hour delivery windows at no extra cost, unlimited 30-minute pickup for orders of any size, and priority access to recurring reservations for weekly grocery deliveries. Amazon emphasizes that the subscription “pays for itself” with just one monthly order from Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods Market exceeding $50 in value.
Competing in the Grocery Delivery Arena
Amazon’s new offering directly competes with established players like Walmart Plus ($12.95 per month or $98 per year) and Target’s free grocery delivery plan ($99 per year). Notably, all three services share a similar minimum order requirement for free delivery.
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Amazon’s Shifting Grocery Store Strategy
In a recent development, Amazon has phased out its “Just Walk Out” technology from its physical stores. This feature, which allowed customers to leave without a formal checkout process, is being replaced by the Dash Cart, a self-scanning cart that tracks items as shoppers place them in their carts.
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