Amazon moved more than 40% of items with same-day or overnight delivery in the first half of 2026, and expanded its ultra-fast Amazon Now service to 80 cities and towns across the United States and several major cities in Egypt, according to FreightWaves.
Same-day and ultra-fast delivery expansion
FreightWaves reported that Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) delivered more than 40% of items same-day or overnight in the first half of the year versus the same period last year. Amazon Now, which promises delivery in 30 minutes or less on thousands of everyday essentials, is now available in nine countries and over 250 cities and towns, including Atlanta, Houston and Denver. The service posted more than 80% growth in gross sales and units sold quarter-over-quarter, and served more than 60% more customers than the prior quarter, CEO Andy Jassey told analysts, according to FreightWaves.
Amazon also offers one-hour and three-hour delivery on more than 90,000 products and same-day delivery on millions of items, the report said.
- More than 40% of global items delivered same-day or overnight in H1 2026
- Amazon Now live in nine countries and 250+ cities
- 80%+ QoQ growth in Amazon Now gross sales and units sold
- 60%+ more customers served quarter-over-quarter
Robotics fleet crosses 1 million units
Amazon surpassed 1 million robots developed, produced and deployed across its operations network, CFO Brian Olsavsky said on the Q2 earnings call, according to FreightWaves. The company is retrofitting facilities with latest-generation technology and expects to more than double its fleet of robotic arms, including Cardinal and Sparrow, in 2026.
We’re retrofitting our facilities with our latest generation technology, and we expect to more than double our fleet of robotic arms, like Cardinal and Sparrow, in 2026. — Brian Olsavsky, Amazon CFO (per FreightWaves)
The table below compares the two robotic arm systems named in the report:
| Robot | Function | Load capacity | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinal | Tightly loads packages into carts | Up to 50 pounds | Tetris-like loading |
| Sparrow | Picks individual items from containers into totes | Up to 12 pounds | Computer vision and AI |
In early June, Amazon said it planned to install three types of new robots across its European fulfillment centers as part of a $10 billion modernization plan, FreightWaves reported.
Cost pressures and the FBA fuel surcharge
Rising transportation costs driven by fuel inflation from the Iran war and higher trucking rates were partially offset by a fuel and logistics surcharge implemented in April for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) customers, Olsavsky said, according to FreightWaves. He added that Amazon made progress optimizing inventory, shortening shipping distances, reducing touches per package, and improving consolidation rates.
Financial results
Amazon reported a 20% gain in net sales to $200.6 billion in the second quarter, with operating income of $27.5 billion, up 43% year over year, according to FreightWaves. Amazon Web Services delivered $42 billion in revenue during the quarter. Amazon's stock rose 15% by midday Friday following the earnings release.
Watch list
According to FreightWaves, Amazon expects to more than double its fleet of robotic arms, including Cardinal and Sparrow, in 2026. In early June, the company also announced plans to install three types of new robots across its European fulfillment centers as part of a $10 billion modernization plan. Shippers using Fulfillment by Amazon are already paying a fuel and logistics surcharge implemented in April, which executives said partially offset rising transportation costs.
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