TOKYO -- Amazon Japan has teamed with physical retailers on quick shipment of items purchased by premium customers amid resistance by a home delivery industry struggling to deal with mounting package volume and staff shortages.
The Tokyo-based online seller joined hands with drugstore chains Cocokara Fine and Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings as well as Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings' flagship Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi department store in the city. Amazon Japan began selling products from those outlets Tuesday as part of its premium on-demand delivery service Prime Now. An annual fee of 3,900 yen ($35.95) lets members make orders from a smartphone app.
