Amazon cuts delivery time to beat its rivals

As the Chinese e-commerce logistics firm backed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd seeks to expand despite losses, the latter's global rival, Amazon.com Inc, is focusing on improving its own distribution operations in the United States.

Amazon is speeding the delivery of USB cables, smartphone screen protectors, cosmetics and other small, flat items in its continuing push against rival online marketplaces such as Alibaba that help overseas manufacturers and suppliers sell directly to US shoppers. The Seattle-based e-commerce giant notified its merchants earlier this month that such items would now be delivered to Amazon Prime members within five business days, down from eight previously, according to an email obtained by Bloomberg.

That makes Amazon delivery of small, inexpensive items from China, for example, much faster than the two weeks to 30 days it can take using online marketplaces owned by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, EBay Inc and Wish.com.