Amazon’s announcement of one-day shipping for Prime members was the shot heard around the world for many retailers. Fast, two-day shipping has defined modern retail thanks to Amazon’s Prime’s guarantee, encouraging loyalty, repeat visits and influencing consumer expectations that anything ordered online will arrive within a mere couple of days. Next-day delivery pushed the barriers to entry even further for many retailers.
That’s why when FedEx (NYSE: FDX) canceled its express delivery contract with Amazon (NYSE: AMZN), the air may have left the room for the company. With an investment of $800 million on the line this year alone for one-day shipping, will Amazon still be able to deliver on its promise without FedEx?