The competition for faster delivery speeds isn’t just about convenience; it’s about customer loyalty. The New York Times explored how Amazon, Walmart, and Target are transforming retail with same-day delivery services. For many, this isn’t about urgent needs but about creating habits. Once customers experience same-day delivery, they’re more likely to shop again.

“Customers love fast delivery, and the faster we deliver, the more often customers come back,” said Sarah Mathew, Amazon’s vice president for delivery experience. “It doesn’t sound like rocket science, but that was really the aha of ‘Oh, we should really continue to invest here.’”

Amazon’s strategy includes regional fulfillment networks and over 55 same-day delivery centers nationwide, while Walmart leverages its stores to serve 86% of U.S. households. Target has streamlined delivery further by combining its stores with sortation centers. All of this comes at a cost as same-day logistics require scale, efficiency, and meticulous planning — but the payoff in customer loyalty is clear. The question is, is it worth it in the end? We’ll see if these companies can make it work!

Read the whole piece here.