MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Target is preparing to jump into the same-day delivery market and battle online competitor and retail giant Amazon. The Minneapolis-based company Monday announced it will begin same-day delivery of groceries, essentials, home, electronics, toys and other products across the Twin Cities metro area March 1.

In December, Target acquired Shipt, an online, same-day delivery platform, for $550 million. The new partnership gives nearly 1.2 million households across the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro access to Target products delivered by Shipt in as little as one hour. New members who sign up prior to March 1 will receive an annual membership for $49 (regularly $99).

"Launching same-day delivery in the Twin Cities is a milestone for Shipt, and we are thrilled to show new members how Shipt can make their lives easier by delivering on our promise to offer quality products through the convenience of delivery," Bill Smith, founder and CEO of Shipt, said in a statement. "Expanding the Shipt community in Target's hometown will not only bring this convenience to new members who already love Target, but also will create 4,000 new jobs as we hire shoppers to meet the demand."

Image via Target Leading up to the launch, Shipt plans to hire shoppers in the Twin Cities metro area to be a part of the team responsible for ensuring complete, accurate fulfillments of each order. To apply to be a Shipt Shopper, visit Shipt.com.

Through the partnership, Target plans to offer same-day delivery of the in-store assortment of groceries, essentials, home, electronics and other products from approximately half of stores by early 2018.

The majority of Target stores will offer the service by the 2018 holiday season, reaching all major markets across the country, according to the company. By the end of 2019, same-day delivery will include all major product categories at Target.