After Officials Pile On, Amazon Promises Roxbury Same-Day Delivery

Boston, MA - Ire has been building in Boston after revelations that Amazon Prime's same-day delivery service reaches everywhere in the city... everywhere except the largely low-income and predominantly African-American neighborhood of Roxbury.

The company's Prime Same-Day Delivery services require an upfront fee, and their availability has been expanding across the nation's metropolitan areas as the online shopping giant competes with traditional retailers.

Roxbury's exclusion echoes a national pattern in the Prime Same-Day service's expansion, which many observers see as flat discrimination.

Following condemnation from Massachusetts officials, Amazon said Tuesday same-day delivery services are on their way to Roxbury, hopefully within a matter of weeks. The Seattle company responded Tuesday, after Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and state Sen. Ed Markey blasted Amazon in dual statements.

Walsh released a second statement later in the day, saying he spoke personally to Amazon executives, and thanking them for the decision.

The original statement From the mayor:

"We have been working with Amazon to show them that their current map of Boston leaves a hole right in the heart of our city, but it is clear they are not willing to change their policy. We understand that the people who run Amazon don't live here and might not understand our great neighborhoods, but this is an egregious mistake that must be changed. We will continue to push for inclusivity for the residents of Boston and we hope that Amazon realizes that this form of business is not good business."

From the senator:

"I am concerned that your company's model for determining which areas will receive same-day delivery disproportionately disadvantages minority and low-income communities, which may already face substantial obstacles accessing stores that sell essential items including groceries, toiletries and school supplies."

From Amazon's director of operations communications:

"Amazon Prime members in every residential zip code across the lower 48 states receive unlimited Free Two-Day shipping on a massive selection at incredibly low prices. Last year, we launched Prime Free Same-Day Delivery in 12 metropolitan areas and have since expanded to 27 areas, serving more than 1000 cities and towns - and we are not done. We are always looking to expand the benefits our Prime members receive and that’s exactly what we are doing. We are actively working with our local carrier to enable service to the Roxbury neighborhood in the coming weeks. Once completed, Prime members in every zip code in Boston, including the Roxbury neighborhood, will receive Prime Free Same-Day Delivery, in addition to existing Free Two-Day and One-Day shipping options."

>> Photo courtesy thisisbossi via Flickr/Creative Commons