Amazon's Quick Store Deliveries Are Wrapping Up

Amazon is pulling the plug on a service that offers same-day delivery from physical stores and malls. The service, known as Amazon Today, is being phased out, with most of it shutting down by December 2. Some retail partners can keep using it until January 2025, the company told CNBC. Around 300 employees will be affected, with some losing their jobs and others moving to new roles within Amazon. The decision comes as part of Amazon's larger cost-cutting efforts led by CEO Andy Jassy. Amazon Today, launched in 2022, allowed retailers to offer fast deliveries from their stores.It used Amazon's Flex drivers, who pick up packages and deliver them within hours. The service was part of Amazon's push for faster deliveries to boost sales and compete with companies like Instacart and DoorDash. Amazon is working with the retailers it partnered with to ensure a smooth transition. The closure of Amazon Today was unexpected, as the company was still onboarding new retailers and pitching the service at a recent conference. Amazon Today was more expensive than usual deliveries because Flex drivers' cars didn't usually fill up with packages.