FedEx is introducing a same-day shipping service in collaboration with last-mile delivery company OneRail.

The launch comes as retailers compete to provide faster and more convenient fulfilment.

Last week, Amazon said it is rolling out one-to-three-hour delivery windows while Walmart and Target have also introduced express delivery services.

The company said its FedEx SameDay Local option will allow online shoppers to pick either a two-hour delivery window or an end-of-day drop-off at the checkout stage.

FedEx said the service will link customers to a nationwide pool of more than 1,000 delivery providers, managed through what it described as “intelligent orchestration”.

Orders will be assigned automatically to a suitable vehicle and driver, sent out quickly, and monitored via live tracking from collection through to delivery.

According to CNBC, the partnership will enable FedEx to use OneRail’s technology so retailers can offer same-day shipping, partly by drawing on the retailer’s store networks.

FedEx said consumers are not simply looking for “as fast as possible” delivery on every order, but are increasingly seeking options.

The company pointed to varying needs, from urgent purchases to deliveries that must arrive within a specific time window, as well as shoppers who prefer a lower-cost choice and are willing to wait.

FedEx said the new service broadens its delivery offering to reflect these preferences.

FedEx's digital portfolio senior vice-president Jason Brenner commented: “At FedEx, we are supporting our customers in pushing the boundaries of their value proposition around speed and convenience.

“FedEx SameDay Local will provide our customers with a scaled solution to give the delivery options customers want, without adding complexity to their operations—all backed by the confidence of working with FedEx.”