Same-day delivery is becoming a more important part of retail logistics strategies in 2026.
Retailers and logistics providers have expanded fast delivery options throughout the year. FedEx launched SameDay Local with OneRail, Amazon introduced one-hour and three-hour delivery, Sam’s Club debuted a one-hour service, Dollar General expanded rural same-day delivery and DoorDash announced new on-demand retail partnerships.
Some programmes have shown early momentum. Sam’s Club completed nearly 65,000 one-hour deliveries in less than three weeks, while FedEx said interest in SameDay Local has exceeded expectations.
Retailers are turning to same-day delivery to meet demand for convenience, especially for groceries, medicine, household essentials and urgent replenishment items.
Speed is not the only factor. Experts say precision, visibility and reliable delivery windows are increasingly important, especially for higher-value or bulky goods.
Amazon delivered nearly 70% more same-day items in 2025 than the previous year, while DoorDash reported strong growth in grocery and retail customer acquisition.
However, same-day delivery requires the right infrastructure. Large retailers such as Walmart benefit from broad store networks close to customers, while other retailers may need micro-fulfillment centers, cross-docks or third-party delivery infrastructure.
Experts also warned that fast delivery can create pressure on store operations if staff are forced to prepare too many orders too quickly.
