Amazon Now sees strong response in Visakhapatnam

Amazon has begun its “Amazon Now” quick-delivery service in Visakhapatnam a few weeks ago, fulfilling orders from nine stores of More Retail Limited in the city.

On Wednesday, Srikant Sree Ram, Director, Everyday Essentials, Amazon India, at an interaction in the city, said the response has been encouraging. “Amazon Now orders are almost 6 to 7 times more than what we used to get in Fresh,” he said, referring to the earlier “Amazon Fresh” service. “Within 4 to 6 weeks, 40% of them are coming back to purchase.”

The service was introduced in India in early 2025. “Amazon Now has crossed $1 billion in annualised gross sales in India, with orders doubling every quarter since launch,” Mr. Sree Ram said, adding that Amazon would reach 100 cities by Diwali. In Andhra Pradesh, it is available in twenty cities, including Guntur, Nellore, Tirupati, Kurnool, Kadapa, Anantapur, Vijayawada and Rajahmundry, among other places.

On buying patterns, he said, “About 40% of products in every order are non-grocery.” Demand was also shifting towards healthier products. “We see a clear shift of customers looking for clean labels, looking for healthy products,” he said. Sales of dry fruits and nuts were up 60% over normal levels, with almonds nearly tripling. Orders peaked around 9 p.m.

Prime members pay no delivery fee on orders above ₹99, and others above ₹149. “There is no convenience fee that is charged, there is no surge fee that is charged,” Mr. Sree Ram said. “We are working with more than 18,000 farmers across the country,” he said of the fruit and vegetable supply chain, which includes a few collection centres in Andhra Pradesh.

More than 25,000 sellers from Andhra Pradesh sell on Amazon, which has over 20 lakh sellers in India. The “Amazon Great Indian Festival” begins on October 8, with deals open to all customers from the first day. SBI card holders will get a 10% instant discount, and “Amazon Now” will be part of the sale.