Amazon is now rolling out a service where its Prime members can order their blueberries and milk at the same time as their batteries and other basic items. The online juggernaut said Wednesday that customers in more than 1,000 cities and towns now have access to fresh groceries with its free Same-Day Delivery on orders over $25 for Prime members, with plans to reach over 2,300 locations by year-end. The company said that if an order doesn't meet the minimum, members can still choose Same-Day Delivery for a $2.99 fee. For customers without a Prime membership, the service is available with a $12.99 fee, regardless of order size.
By DEE-ANN DURBIN and CLAIRE RUSH Associated Press Writers
Kroger and Albertsons are defending their plan to merge in a hearing that began Monday in federal court in Oregon. In October 2022, the chains proposed what would be the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history. They say joining together would help them compete with big rivals like Walmart and Costco. But the Federal Trade Commission sued to try to block the merger, saying it would eliminate competition and raise grocery prices. After a three-week hearing, U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson will decide whether to grant the FTC's request for a preliminary injunction, which would block the merger while the case goes through in-house proceedings at the FTC.