Amazon and Rewe expand fast grocery delivery in Germany

Amazon has restarted same-day fresh-food delivery in Cologne, Frankfurt and Munich, after ending its Amazon Fresh service in 2024.

Rewe has launched delivery in up to an hour from stores in Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Jena through Uber Eats, Wolt and Lieferando.

Amazon’s standard delivery takes up to four hours and is free for Prime members on orders of at least 29 euros; faster two-hour slots cost extra.

Online grocery sales grew 11.8 percent, compared with 2.2 percent growth in physical stores, though online sales still make up less than nine percent of the market for everyday goods.

Most people still do not buy groceries online: 71 percent of those surveyed had not used a delivery service in the previous six months.

People who do use them often cite saving time and avoiding the need to carry heavy bags, while some shoppers prefer to inspect fresh food or dislike delivery fees and minimum orders.

Amazon plans to add more cities, but industry representatives say it is too soon to know whether the renewed push will succeed.