Slashdot Mirror
Amazon to Launch Online Grocery Store
Aryabhata writes "It might sound like a bad flashback to the dot-com days, but news is that Amazon is planning to test the waters with an old idea; the online grocery store!. To its defense Amazon is only attempting this with nonperishables like peanut butter, potato chips, and canned soup implying that there's no refrigeration required--ordinary warehouse shelves will do fine."
To its defense Amazon is only attempting this with nonperishables like peanut butter, potato chips, and canned soup implying that there's no refrigeration required--ordinary warehouse shelves will do fine."
Well, in that case, it isn't different from what Amazon was doing before hand, now is it? Amazon to Sell Stuff Online, Film at 11.
Uttering logically derived and empirically supported truths to the disciples of the orthodox establishment.
I've never heard of this WebVan company, but the online grocery store that I do know - Peapod - is still around and, going by how often I've seen their vans parked in some residential neighbourhoods around Chicago, quite successful. And they do deliver perishables.
It's called Fresh Direct.
Ways to dispose of hundreds of thousands of dollars of junk food left over from the cafeteria....
They could make money selling hard to find items, but not stuff that you can buy anywhere. There are a few things I can not buy locally that I would order if they had it, but I won't buy potato chips from them...
Of course, if this works then I should invest in UPS & FedEx...
I already routinely order groceries from Fresh Direct http://www.freshdirect.com/ . Its huge in the NYC area, the selection is broad (far broader than what Amazon is offering), the service is excellent, and the overall experience is excellent.
FYI, if you browse through the store, you'll notice that almost all the items they sell are economy sized or are packaged in multi-packs. If you just want one bottle of detergent, you're out of luck. If you want to save on 6 bottles at a time, this is the place for you.
Jonathan
I've been buying my groceries online for years, and I intend to continue doing so. The food is better quality, there's more choice than my local supermarket and it's way more convenient. In my area right now there are 2 competing online services (that I'm aware of, might be more) so there's even a choice. I'd assumed this kind of service was available everywhere - I guess not.
---- Den ene knappen er powerknapp, den andre er Bender voice knapp "Bite My Shiny Metal Ass"
Amazon already has a gourmet food store. This seems like a logical extension to me.
In the UK tesco (www.tesco.com) have been doing online groceries for years - as have Ocado.
When was the last time you watched The Buns of Navarone, listened to Give Peas A Chance, read The Da Vinco Cod, or saw Bring Me the Bread of Alfredo Garcia?
Ceterum censeo subscriptionem esse delendam.
Dude, if they're touching my peanut butter there is a bigger problem than their failure to wash their hands first.
Nevermind that the behavior of the cashier is essentially for show. If you want to know how "sanitary" your food from Safeway is go at 3 in the morning and watch the shelf stockers.
And of course other customers never touch your food before you buy it, no siree Bob! You might want to start considering your sanitation concerns being, by their very nature, your problem to look after. If you're afraid of catching something from your peanut butter jar wear gloves when you shop and wipe everything down with Vodka before you take them off.
KFG