Amazon Tests Ultrafast Delivery Offering

Amazon is testing a new ultrafast delivery offering for groceries and other daily essentials in major urban areas in the U.S., a critical test of the e-commerce giant’s ambitions to sell more daily staples to consumers and supercharge its grocery business.

In recent months, Amazon has approached large consumer packaged goods brands to ask them for lists of products it could sell through the service, according to a person with knowledge of the talks. Amazon is also seeking municipal approvals to build or renovate small delivery hubs in cities including Seattle, Philadelphia and Fort Worth, Texas, according to permit filings. The company would aim to make deliveries to shoppers in 30 minutes or less, according to one of the filings.