Amazon Opening 'Instant Pickup' Sites In Multiple US Cities, One In Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, MD — If next-day delivery or even one-hour delivery is too long a wait for you, Amazon now offers a way to get a select number of items within two minutes. Seattle-based Amazon announced Tuesday that it began offering "Instant Pickup" at five locations around the U.S. with more planned later.

The service, available to Prime and Prime Student members, will allow shoppers to buy items via the Amazon app and then pick them up at a nearby storage locker. The program will roll out first in Los Angeles; Berkeley, California; Columbus, Ohio; Atlanta and College Park, Maryland. The Instant Pickup kiosks are being placed near large college campuses.

The number of items is limited to "essentials," Amazon said in a press release, plus the company's devices, like Echo, Fire and Kindle.

"As shopping behaviors continue to evolve, customers consistently tell us that they want items even faster." Student Programs Director Ripley MacDonald said in a press release. "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."

Amazon said that Instant Pickup will later roll out to other parts of the country.

Instant pickup is available to Amazon’s Prime and Prime Student members. Depending on the item you order, you can also get same-day or next-day delivery.

Story by Patch Editor Neal McNamara

Image via Jim Swensen/Creative Commons