Amazon Debuts New Pickup Service for Need-It-Now Items

SEATTLE — Amazon is upping its game for meeting immediate demand.

The Seattle-based ecommerce retailer debuted Instant Pickup, a free service offering Prime and Prime Student members a selection of daily essentials available for pickup in two minutes or less at five of Amazon's fully staffed pickup locations in Los Angeles; Atlanta; Berkeley, Calif.; Columbus, Ohio; and College Park, Md. 

Items available with Instant Pickup include snacks, drinks and electronics, as well as some of Amazon's most popular devices.

"Instant Pickup is another way Amazon is making life more convenient for Prime members," said Ripley MacDonald, director, Student Programs, Amazon.

"As shopping behaviors continue to evolve, customers consistently tell us that they want items even faster. Whether it's a snack on-the-go, replacing a lost phone charger in the middle of a hectic day or adding Alexa to your life with an Echo, Instant Pickup saves Prime members time," MacDonald said. "While Instant Pickup is available at select pickup locations today, we're excited about bringing this experience to more customers soon."

With Instant Pickup, Prime and Prime Student members can use the Amazon App to browse the selection, place an order, even add last-minute items to an online order and pick it up from a self-service locker.

Instant Pickup is available at five select pickup locations beginning Aug. 15 and will be available at more locations in the coming month, according to the company.

Amazon operates 22 staffed pickup locations on or near college campuses across the country. All Amazon customers can ship their orders to a pickup location, and Prime members receive Free Same-Day and One-Day delivery.