Amazon imposes free grocery delivery on Prime orders under $150

NEW YORK, NY — Amazon is removing free grocery delivery for Prime members on orders under $150.

Customers who have their groceries delivered by Amazon Fresh — and pay less than $150 — will be charged between $3.95 and $9.95, depending on the size of the order, the company said Friday in an email to Prime members.

The new policy begins on February 28.

“We will continue to offer convenient two-hour delivery windows on all orders, and customers in certain regions will be able to select a longer six-hour delivery window for a reduced rate,” Amazon said in the e-mail. mail.

Launched in 2005, Prime has more than 200 million members worldwide who pay $139 per year, or $14.99 per month, for faster shipping and other benefits, such as free shipping and returns.

Currently, the company offers members free grocery delivery on orders over $35, with the exception of New York, where the price is $50.

Under the new policy, the company said delivery charges will be $3.95 for orders between $100 and $150, $6.95 for orders between $50 and $100, and $9.95 for orders under $50. Amazon Fresh deliveries over $150 will remain free.

“We are introducing a service charge on select Amazon Fresh delivery orders to help keep prices low in our online and physical grocery stores as we better cover grocery delivery costs and continue to provide a consistent delivery experience. , fast and high quality,” Amazon spokeswoman Lara Hendrickson said in a prepared statement.

The company has dozens of Amazon Fresh stores in the United States and has opened some overseas. Amazon has also owned Whole Foods since 2017.

The decision to impose new fees comes as the company tries to cut costs in an uncertain economic environment. In recent months, it has cut unprofitable areas of its business and suspended the hiring of its employees. It announced this month that it would lay off 18,000 workers.