What’s Behind Amazon’s Secret ‘Amazon Flex’ Service?

It appears Amazon’s delivery plans are ready to expand.

According to a GeekWire article, Amazon is prepping for the launch of its new Prime Now one-hour delivery across the Seattle area, but that’s not all. Another package pick up program called “Amazon Flex” is poised to soon launch in the area, too. Prime Same-Day delivery was added to the Seattle area in May.

Free Prime Same-Day Delivery is now being added to the Seattle/Tacoma area, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, Washington, D.C., Boston and Philadelphia. It’s also offered in New York City, Atlanta and Baltimore.

Amazon hasn’t officially responded to requests for comments about GeekWire’s discovery, but it appears from a sign posted on the site that Amazon Flex is going to allow for Amazon customers to pick up Prime Now packages at a specific center. Amazon has also been exploring other package delivery options recently, such as delivering parcels via public transportation. And then, of course, there’s the delivery drones vision.

In terms of the Prime Now one-hour delivery expansion in the Seattle region, it seems that is the next move since planning documents have reportedly indicated that Amazon is moving in. But those details have also not been officially confirmed. GeekWire also reported that there are liquor license applications for Amazon’s soon-to-be sites, which could suggest that Prime Now might be tapping into delivery of beer, wine and liquor. That service is already available in the U.K. through its Prime Now Program.

And while GeekWire’s report noted that Amazon Flex could be different than its signs (or theory) suggest, the theory being reported is that Amazon Flex is likely to be a place for customers to pick up their Amazon orders or a crowdsourced delivery facility that taps into drivers to deliver the packages.

[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center” style=”” border_width=”” el_width=””][vc_single_image image=”148412″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_blank” css_animation=”left-to-right” img_size=”full” link=”http://www.pymnts.com/whats-hot-today/”][vc_column_text css_animation=””]

To check out what else is HOT in the world of payments, click here.

[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center” style=”” border_width=”” el_width=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]