The Cost of Convenience

Amazon is doubling down on the grocery-delivery space. On Thursday, the company announced that it would begin offering free two-hour Whole Foods deliveries for Amazon Prime members. The move may transform the grocery industry and could feasibly threaten the business of competitors such as Instacart--with whom Whole Foods has an existing delivery partnership. But it also raises a number of questions about the logistics of such an endeavor and what it could mean for our roadways, neighborhoods, and labor system. With two-hour delivery, a mere $35 minimum purchase amount, and access to thousands of items, Amazon's program makes sense whether you're doing a bulk grocery order or you've only forgotten a few last-minute dinner essentials.