Amazon focuses on delivery with expanded Prime Now

 BY ALLISON ENRIGHT Editor

Amazon announces new fulfillment centers and expands the reach of Prime Now.

Amazon.com Inc. is making it easier for more shoppers to get their packages quicker.

The online retail giant is rolling out its Prime Now same-day delivery service to a pair of new domestic markets as well as one major international market. With the holiday shopping season about to enter full swing, Amazon also opted to get a head start on the traditional Black Friday shopping holiday.

Here’s a look at Amazon news for the week ended Nov. 20:

More markets for Prime Now delivery: San Diego-area Prime members can now get delivery in as little as an hour when ordering through the Prime Now mobile app. Until now, Prime Now has been limited to goods ordered from Amazon and, in some markets, the delivery of food from restaurants. Amazon adds a new twist with the San Diego launch, however. Consumers can order groceries from local area supermarkets and specialty shops and Amazon will deliver it—similar to the grocery delivery service Instacart, which is not yet active in the San Diego area. Participating local retailers include Sprouts Farmers Market, Bristol Farms, Northgate Gonzalez Market, and Sprinkles Cupcakes. Separate from the Prime Now launch, Google Inc.’s Google Express service, which offers same-day and overnight delivery of goods ordered from participating retailers, launched across more of Southern California this week, including in San Diego.

Amazon also is rolling out Prime Now delivery to Nashville, Tenn., and Tokyo. It also expanded this week in the United Kingdom to include Newcastle and the surrounding area.  

It’s a good thing: Martha Stewart has moved her “Martha Stewart American Made” storefront from eBay Inc.’s marketplace to Amazon’s Handmade at Amazon shop. The shop includes products selected by Stewart and the editors of her namesake lifestyle and entertaining magazine Martha Stewart Living.Handmade at Amazon launched last month.

Black Friday comes early: Amazon started its Black Friday deals today, Nov. 20, a full week before the day after Thanksgiving, which is the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. Get the full story here.

New fulfillment centers: Amazon announced this week it will open two new fulfillment centers in Ohio. One will be in Etna Township, due east of Columbus, and 800,000 square feet. The other will be in Obetz, just south of Columbus, and be more than 1 million square feet. Amazon began collecting sales tax on orders from Ohio residents in June. Amazon currently operates one fulfillment in Ohio, in Cincinnati.

Amazon.com is No. 1 in the Internet Retailer 2015 Top 500 Guide.