Whether it's a last minute gift or the ultimate in fashion, your Amazon order will be at your door in record time.

We've all asked ourselves this question: how does Amazon deliver our orders in such a short time?

Look no further, this article details for you the behind-the-scenes of fast delivery at the American giant.

First of all, you should know that this is due to a large part of automation and a constant search for process efficiency. But also innovative technologies and committed employees.

Despite the fact that the distribution platform does not give easy access to all its secrets, here are some answers to understand how fast delivery works.

1 - Preparation of orders

Initially, the answer lies in Amazon's distribution centers. These are often on the outskirts of cities and close to an airport to limit delivery time. But Amazon does not stop there. In order to get closer to consumers, the distribution giant has chosen to set up warehouses, known as micro-storage facilities, inside cities to save time.

In these storage facilities, products arrive in large numbers and are placed on belts to be sorted. It may seem surprising, but this is where the process begins.

When products arrive, they are scanned and distributed to different areas of the warehouse using Kiva robotic units. Some products may undergo quality checks in order to offer consumers only products that are as described and in good condition (e.g., expiration date checks for perishable products).

Once the quality control is correct, the products are then transported by conveyor belt to the packaging station. Throughout this process, the computer system monitors their progress, weighs them and routes them according to the delivery method and time, as well as the chosen location.

Amazon's supply chain is one of the most successful in the world of robotization. Indeed, it is very precise and combines all the innovations (connectivity, predictive maintenance etc.)

Here is how the Kiva robots work:

2 - Ground delivery

Like all e-retailers, Amazon's reputation for reliability is based on meeting deadlines, even if the transport does not depend on it. Once the packages are ready, the algorithms determine the carrier (La Poste, Colis Privé, of which it is a shareholder, TNT, DHL, etc.) offering the best price according to the delivery location, the type of product and the urgency.

In addition, Amazon uses delivery service providers to reinforce its fleet and respect delivery times. Indeed, in order to cover 4,000 items sold per minute in the US, it takes a lot of delivery drivers to meet the deadlines.

In order to ensure that delivery drivers are always available, Amazon provides all the necessary tools (mobile application, scanner, etc.) and provides ongoing training and support.

3 - Air delivery

In order to offer a shorter time for receiving packages, Amazon has created its own air fleet: Amazon Air.

To enable two-day deliveries for Amazon Prime members, the retail giant's planes are taking off from 20 airports in the United States.

On these planes, packages travel in metal containers, called Cargo Units. Each container is capable of holding hundreds of packages, neatly stacked. Also, each plane can carry at least 30 containers, which is equivalent to more than 10,000 pressure cookers.

This is what makes 1-day delivery for Prime members possible and what keeps consumers coming back for more (over 200 million subscribers by 2022).

4 - Delivery slots

What is the point of respecting the delivery time in 1 working day if you can't reach the recipient? This is why Amazon, like many e-tailers, has set up tools for making appointments. This allows the customer to choose his time slot within two hours.

This is also possible with delivery service providers such as DHL.

A whole range of sophisticated tools are used to ensure that orders are delivered quickly and efficiently.

Amazon is constantly investigating new methods, new technologies, new generation robotic systems for distribution, the development of unmanned aerial vehicles, called "drones", capable of dropping your package directly in front of consumers' doors.

The delivery method and deadlines promised and then kept by Amazon are now no longer a secret to you!

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Sophie Fromont
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I am Sophie, Account Manager at Les Pitchous. Passionate about digital, marketing and art, I tried several jobs before I really found my way.

I also thrive on travel. After living in different countries, I settled in Canada, in Montreal. Adapting to a new environment stimulates me on a daily basis and pushes me forward. 

I have been enriched by all these different experiences and cultures and today I can say that I have grown and been enriched by these beautiful experiences. That's all I can wish you, and also to be happy. Because life is more beautiful when you are happy!