Amazon’s promise of fast delivery, especially through prime membership, has changed online shopping drastically. Nowadays, customers expect their package to come in 1-2 days, sometimes even hours. And this delivery time has been a key element in Amazon’s growth. But behind the convenience of fast shipping, an intriguing question arises: is this rapid delivery strategy going to last in the long term?

Going into the depths of the operation behind this fast delivery strategy, we have noted that this was made possible by the hundreds, even thousands of fulfillment centers, advanced algorithms, and enormous workforce employed by Amazon themselves. They use analytics to position products close to a demand hub, ensuring their speedy arrival. Their reliance on third-party delivery services, as well as a growing network, has been instrumental in the process of fast delivery.

However, while fast delivery does seem very convenient, it does come with its costs, and as well as other cons. One of the biggest problems when it comes to fast delivery is the environmental cost. The demand for one or same-day delivery requires frequent trips by vehicles, which increases carbon emissions and congestion, normally in urban areas. While Amazon has previously pledged to make 50% of its shipment carbon-neutral by 2030, the strain of same-day logistics remains.

Moreover, the high-speed nature of quick delivery is labor-intensive. Workers in Amazon’s warehouses face extreme pressure to meet their quota, with reports of some even leading to burnout or injury. The need to pick and pack and ship items at rapid speeds has been taking a major toll on workers’ mental and physical health. Many questions have arisen from these reports, questioning if people can even continue to do this, in such a state.

Additionally, Amazon’s push for faster delivery has strained small businesses who sell their products through the Amazon platform. Many businesses are forced to meet their requirements, which is difficult without Amazon’s resources, further increasing the gap between small businesses and large corporations.

In the long run, the sustainability of Amazon’s fast delivery depends not solely on the customers’ demands, but also on the environmental quality and economic impact. Whether or not Amazon is capable of continuing their rapid delivery speeds, remains a question to be answered.