I Feel the Need... The Need for Speed! E-com Grocery Battle Continues to Intensify

Research evidence excerpt

I Feel the Need... The Need for Speed! E-com Grocery Battle Continues to Intensify

Equity Research

Flash Comment — May 12, 2026

Food & Staples Retail

I Feel the Need... The Need for Speed! E-com

Grocery Battle Continues to Intensify

Our Call Edward Kelly, CFA

AMZN continues to ratchet up its focus on grocery with the launch of express delivery. Equity Analyst | Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

Edward.J.Kelly@wellsfargo.com | 212-214-5304

While behind leader WMT and other omni-channel grocers, progress bears watching given

John Parkethe potential for fee compression and share pressure.

Associate Equity Analyst | Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

John.Parke@wellsfargo.com | 212-214-3327

Initial Thoughts Adam Gregorio

Express Competition Is Heating Up: This morning AMZN announced Amazon Now; 30- Adam.Gregorio@wellsfargo.com | 212-214-8117

minute delivery on select groceries and essentials, with a $3.99 fee for prime members

or $13.99 for non-members, plus additional fees for orders <$15. Live in 4 major cities

and currently expanding to dozens more across the US. AMZN Now will offer just high

frequency SKUs available in local fulfillment centers.

Rapid Delivery the Next Battleground: In 2025, food retail doubled down on faster

delivery, some of which was sparked by AMZN's grocery expansion in 8/25. Today, all

of our companies offer same-day delivery and most offer express delivery (typically

within 1-2 hours, but as fast as 20-30min). AMZN Now competes directly with this

offering; lower fees, the absence of tipping, and 24-7 delivery look to be AMZN's biggest

advantages, but assortment likely falls well short of WMT, KR, ACI, etc.

Walmart Remains the Leader: The ability to offer rapid delivery has become table stakes