Amazon India has expanded its operations network with 20 new fulfilment centres, six sort centres and around 150 last-mile delivery stations as it prepares for the Amazon Great Indian Festival, which begun on October 8, 2026.
The expansion is part of the e-commerce major’s biggest-ever operations network expansion in India, aimed at increasing delivery capacity, improving speed and extending its reach in smaller cities ahead of the festive shopping season.
The company has increased its storage capacity by 50% to 64 million cubic feet and is creating more than 1.6 lakh seasonal work opportunities across 400 cities Director – Operations, Amazon India
“This festive season will be significantly bigger than the last one,” Memon said, pointing to investments in infrastructure, workforce and technology to manage the expected rise in demand.
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Amazon has invested nearly Rs 2,800 crore in its India operations in 2026, with the seasonal hiring programme covering locations across the country, including metros and Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Amazon doubles quick-commerce footprint in two weeks
Amazon is also expanding its quick-commerce service, Amazon Now, which has increased its presence from 60 cities to more than 120 cities.
The expansion comes shortly before the Great Indian Festival and reflects the company’s focus on reaching customers beyond major urban markets.
“Every PIN code matters,” Memon said, explaining that Amazon wants to serve customers in smaller cities rather than concentrating only on metros, where order volumes tend to be higher.
The company is targeting gaps in delivery speed in smaller markets, offering delivery within minutes in some locations, within hours in others and same-day delivery where available.
Amazon said customers can access tens of thousands of products through delivery in minutes or a few hours, more than one million products through same-day delivery and over four million products through next-day delivery. Prime members also receive unlimited free Prime Delivery on eligible products.
The latest expansion includes new delivery stations in 12 cities where Amazon had not previously operated such facilities. Seven of the new fulfilment centres and all six new sort centres are located in non-metro areas, strengthening the company’s network in smaller markets.
Memon said Amazon aims to provide customers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with a selection and shopping experience comparable to that available in metros. Where a nearby fulfilment centre is unavailable, the company uses its rail and air networks to move products closer to customers.
Amazon’s seller ecosystem has also expanded ahead of the festive season. The company said its marketplace has crossed 20 lakh sellers, with more than three lakh sellers joining in the past year, its strongest seller growth in three years.
Amazon is also promoting AI-powered shopping features that allow customers to compare products, review price history and receive recommendations across product pages and search.
Alongside its operational expansion, Amazon is increasing support for delivery associates through its Ashray rest-centre network. The company is adding 50 Ashray centres across India, taking the network to 200, and remains on track to reach 250 by the end of 2026. The facilities offer seating, drinking water, washrooms, charging points and first-aid facilities free of charge to delivery associates, irrespective of the company they work for.
In Hyderabad, Amazon’s first Ashray centre established in partnership with the Telangana government has become operational in Kondapur, taking the city’s total to 10 centres. In Bengaluru, the company has launched mobile Ashray vans offering air-conditioned rest spaces, hydration, electrolytes, Wi-Fi and charging facilities along high-traffic routes.
Memon said associate safety and well-being remain central to the company’s preparations for the festive rush. “It is just as important to think from the associate’s point of view,” he said, describing Ashray as a place where delivery associates can rest and recharge while on the road.
Also Read – Amazon layoffs: Nearly 1,000 jobs cut in retail, India employees affected
Technology to manage festive demand
Memon said technology, early planning and workforce preparation are key to managing the surge in orders during the festive season, particularly in remote locations where logistics can be more challenging.
“Across this journey, technology and infrastructure work together to improve speed, accuracy, and reliability,” Memon said.
The company hires seasonal associates and expands its seller base ahead of peak demand, using artificial intelligence and machine learning to support planning and operational decisions. While seasonal hiring is designed to meet the festive surge, Amazon said it seeks to retain associates wherever possible as order volumes remain elevated and employees gain experience during the peak period.
Also Read – Amazon, Flipkart see blockbuster sale openings as festive shoppers go premium
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First Published on October 13, 2026, 08:58:11 IST
