When you’re operating in a crowded market, it’s not always possible to compete by offering a better or  cheaper product, so what can you do. I just read about two companies…one is probably the biggest company of its type in the world and the other a start up…but they both reached the same conclusion – people want stuff faster.

Amazon are about to offer one hour delivery in New York. The service, which promises delivery in as little as an hour in Manhattan between 6 a.m. and midnight, will expand to other cities in 2015. The company will charge $7.99 for delivery within an hour. More than 25,000 items are eligible under the Prime Now program, which is only available to customers who pay $99 for the annual Prime membership.

At the other end of the scale, new business UrbanStems hopes to beat its competition in the pricey Manhattan flower delivery market by carrying fresh bouquets to your door within an hour for $35 dollars including delivery.

There’s no doubt that consumers are becoming increasingly impatient and demanding vis a vis delivery time. Could you gain a competitive edge in your market by offering extraordinary delivery times?