Amazon plans massive rollout of same-day fulfillment centers to rival Walmart
Amazon is preparing a large-scale expansion of its same-day delivery network, aiming to add over a thousand new fulfillment sites by 2031.
Project Mercury outlines Amazon’s strategy to dramatically enlarge its same-day delivery infrastructure, expanding from roughly 85 sites today to more than 1,000 by 2031. The plan focuses on positioning new Same Day Fulfillment Centers within a ten-mile straight-line distance of 80% of U.S. Prime subscribers, aiming to speed delivery of popular products such as groceries and household goods. Funding for the expansion runs into the billions, with a three-year budget of $6.8 billion earmarked for 2026-2027.
By building a dense network of specialized warehouses, Amazon hopes to challenge Walmart’s advantage of physical proximity, which currently places most Americans within ten miles of a Walmart or Sam’s Club. The initiative also ties into broader efforts, including all-day delivery windows, the Amazon Now service, and future drone deliveries via Prime Air.
Why it matters
The expansion could reshape U.S. retail logistics and intensify competition with Walmart for everyday shopping.
In this story
