Singapore slings? Taking on Alibaba, Amazon launches Prime Now in the city state

The Amazon Singapore website announcing deliveries in Singapore is seen in this illustration photo July 27, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration

SINGAPORE: Amazon.com Inc launched its two-hour delivery service in Singapore on July 27, marking the e-commerce giant's push into populous South-East Asia and its first head-on battle with its Chinese rival, Alibaba Group Holding. 

While Amazon does deliver to Singapore, higher-end services had not been available, such as Prime services which include access to the company's video-streaming service. The Prime Now Singapore website, which went live on Thursday, promises delivery within two hours.