Amazon has reached unprecedented delivery speeds for its Prime members in the US, UK, and across Europe, setting a new record with more than five billion items delivered the same or next day so far this year.

This achievement represents a more than 30% increase in delivery speed year-over-year (YoY).

These rapid delivery times are reportedly not only benefiting Prime members but also aiding small and medium-sized businesses that sell on Amazon.

Independent sellers using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) account for the majority of the items delivered.

Specifically, more than 60% of units sold on Amazon’s platform come from these independent sellers, underscoring the significant role of FBA in Amazon’s logistics network.

In the US, Amazon offers more than 300 million items with free Prime shipping, a substantial increase from the one million items available when Prime launched in 2005.

Tens of millions of the most popular items are now available with free Same-Day or One-Day Delivery, marking a twentyfold increase in selection and twice the speed compared to the programme's early days.

Three key initiatives have driven these improvements:

• Expansion of the Same-Day Delivery network, now operating in more than 120 US metro areas.
• By reducing the distance between fulfilment centres and customers, Amazon has shortened delivery times.
• Using machine learning algorithms, Amazon predicts product demand and optimises inventory placement, ensuring more orders are shipped from local sites.

In Europe, meanwhile, Amazon's investments in advanced technologies and AI have enhanced its fulfilment network.

The company's European Advanced Technology team has introduced more than 1,000 new robotics and AI-powered innovations since 2019, improving safety and efficiency across its sites.

These technologies include item sorters, pallet movers, and automated guide vehicles, which have enhanced more than 50,000 jobs across European fulfilment centres, according to the company.

Amazon's Same-Day Delivery service, available in more than 150 European cities, has also seen significant improvements.

In the UK, customers in cities such as Liverpool, Birmingham, and Manchester can receive deliveries within four to six hours, and as fast as two hours for millions of other products.

The company is also focusing on sustainability, with thousands of electric delivery vans operating across Europe and micromobility hubs in major cities, including London, Paris, and Munich.

Amazon's latest Prime Air drone, the MK30, is set to enhance delivery speeds further, with deployments planned in the UK and Italy.

Amazon continues to invest in technology and infrastructure to meet customer demands for vast selection, low prices, and fast delivery, ensuring it remains at the forefront of global e-commerce.