Amazon believes consumers have a need for speed. The company just started testing 30-minute delivery in Seattle and Philadelphia through a pilot called Amazon Now. It’s shipping thousands of everyday items — from diapers to electronics — in half an hour or less.
Workers pick and pack items at nearby facilities before Amazon Flex drivers whisk orders away, aiming to leave within two minutes. It’s fast, sure, but Walmart is still in the lead. With more than 4,600 stores, Walmart can reach 95 percent of U.S. households in under three hours, and some orders arrive in minutes.
Analysts say Amazon’s ultrafast strategy may not be realistic. The infrastructure required, including more warehouses, more drivers, and more inventory, could increase. At a certain point, consumers may prefer savings over a sprint.
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Chick-fil-A Serves Up Chicken and Waffle Sandwiches—But Only in Two Cities
Chick-fil-A
Customers asked for it, and they got it. Chick-fil-A is testing a chicken and waffle sandwich. The new item swaps the classic bun for maple-flavored waffles and adds fried chicken, honey butter and bacon, plus a cup of syrup for dipping. There’s also a spicy version.
For now, only two cities are getting the test run. Baltimore will offer both breakfast and all-day sandwiches, while San Antonio will offer breakfast only. Prices range from about $5 for the breakfast version to nearly $9 for the spicy all-day option.
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