According to the latest wave of retail rumours, Amazon‘s grocery delivery service Amazon Fresh is to launch in the UK this year.
The e-commerce giant reportedly has plans “at an advanced stage” and in September, when the night tube weekend service officially begins operating and London edges closer to becoming a 24 hour city, it is understood that Amazon Fresh could arrive in the capital.
Amazon Fresh enables customers to order an array of grocery items. Currently it is only available in selected states in the US but if and when Amazon enters the competitive UK market, it will rival the big four supermarkets Tesco and Sainsbury‘s as well as online grocer Ocado.
Retail research specialist IGD estimates that online sales make up 5% of grocery revenue in the UK and click-and-collect is also increasing in popularity. The US grocery delivery market is less mature, which could explain why Amazon Fresh is expanding into Britain first.
The Times report also says that Amazon Fresh could launch in Leeds in April — but cautions that this is subject to change.
An Amazon spokesperson told The Times that it does “not comment on speculation and rumour but what I can tell you is that we will remain thoughtful and methodical in our approach to expanding Amazon Fresh.”
