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Amazon Expands Ultra-Fast Delivery

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Amazon is expanding its rapid delivery services by introducing 1-hour and 3-hour shipping options in several U.S. markets as it intensifies competition with Walmart in the e-commerce sector.

The new service will initially operate in major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles and Chicago, along with smaller cities, and will cover tens of thousands of everyday products.

Amazon plans to rely on its existing same-day fulfillment infrastructure to support the accelerated delivery timelines.

The company has also introduced operational adjustments within distribution centers to prioritize ultra-fast orders and streamline the delivery process.

The initiative reflects Amazon’s broader strategy of increasing customer engagement and order frequency by offering faster fulfillment options.

Industry observers note that speed of delivery is becoming a central competitive factor in online retail.

Amazon Scraps Drone Delivery Plans in Italy After Strategic Review

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Amazon has decided to halt its plans to launch drone-based delivery services in Italy, citing regulatory and business challenges that undermine the project’s long-term viability. The company confirmed the decision on Sunday following a strategic review of its operations in the country.

Amazon said that although it had made meaningful progress with Italian aerospace regulators, the broader regulatory environment did not support its commercial objectives for drone delivery. “Following a strategic review, we have decided to stop our commercial drone delivery plans in Italy,” the company said in a statement. It added that, despite positive engagement with regulators, the overall business framework remains a limiting factor.

Italy’s civil aviation authority, ENAC, described the move as unexpected. In a statement released on Saturday, ENAC said the decision appeared to be driven by internal company policy and was linked to “recent financial events involving the Group,” without providing further details.

Amazon had previously signaled strong momentum for the initiative. In December 2024, the company announced the successful completion of initial drone delivery tests in San Salvo, a town in the central Abruzzo region. Those trials were seen as a key step toward introducing faster, automated delivery services in Italy as part of Amazon’s broader global drone program.

The halt underscores the challenges facing commercial drone delivery projects, which must navigate not only aviation safety rules but also complex national business and regulatory environments. While Amazon continues to test and operate drone delivery services in select markets, Italy will no longer be part of its near-term expansion plans.

Amazon Unveils Smart Glasses and AI Tools to Boost Delivery Speed

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Amazon has introduced new wearable technology and robotics aimed at accelerating delivery times and improving worker efficiency. At its “Delivering the Future” event in Seattle, the company showcased advanced eyeglasses for drivers, known internally as Amelia, which provide real-time navigation, package scanning, and photo capture for proof of delivery.

The smart glasses, equipped with a small display and controlled by a paired vest-mounted device, are designed to replace handheld GPS units. Amazon said the eyewear helps drivers stay focused and reduces time lost switching between devices — in some cases saving up to 30 minutes per shift. Hundreds of drivers have already tested the glasses, which will be distributed for free on an optional basis.

Amazon also unveiled Blue Jay, a new robotic arm that assists warehouse staff with picking and sorting tasks, and announced an artificial intelligence system for managing warehouse operations in real time. The company said these technologies will optimize “the last 100 yards” of delivery — the costliest part of logistics.

While Amazon’s automation drive is expected to streamline operations, reports indicate it could reduce U.S. hiring by 160,000 positions over two years. Shares of Amazon fell 1.8% on Wednesday to $217.95, marking a rare decline among major tech firms.