tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12897315.post7967151592130582365..comments2024-03-28T03:14:51.294-05:00Comments on Dad29: Amazon/Whole Foods Derangement SyndromeDad29http://www.blogger.com/profile/08554276286736923821noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12897315.post-75797443254742325402017-06-17T18:32:55.811-05:002017-06-17T18:32:55.811-05:00Umnnhhh...OK, that's what they want to do. Fi...Umnnhhh...OK, that's what they want to do. Figure 5 years before 'driverless' will be operative--except there will still be a driver: the Lyft critter. Who will be making LESS than $400/month pre-expenses.<br /><br />It is impossible to see how that will actually work for the drivers, thus for GM.Dad29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08554276286736923821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12897315.post-65346543744240269722017-06-17T17:09:41.953-05:002017-06-17T17:09:41.953-05:00The driverless model is what Lyft/Uber is working ...The driverless model is what Lyft/Uber is working toward, which is why GM partnered with Lyft. Indeed, <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lyft-is-closing-1-billion-to-continue-rapid-growth-300198472.html" rel="nofollow">as part of their $500 million cash injection (from January 2016), GM is providing rentals to Lyft drivers</a>.steveegghttp://norunnyeggs.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12897315.post-948362908236256622017-06-17T12:13:41.566-05:002017-06-17T12:13:41.566-05:00The business model of Whole Wallet is heavy on per...The business model of Whole Wallet is heavy on personal service where the biz model of WallyWorld is commodity price. That's why WallyWorld and Pick have not crushed Sendik. Amazon cannot possibly squeeze enough out of back-end efficiency to overcome the 'personal service' and high-cost foodstocks. <br /><br />(Of course, Amazon could simply run at a loss, as they have done historically on anything else they do.)<br /><br />As to the GM thing: "vertical integration" will work best with self-driving cars, because there is no differentiation in those except for size--and any automaker can manufacture "large/medium/small" passenger space. It MAY work with Lyft/Uber, except the drivers <b>cannot afford the cars</b> at present rates of income (about $400/month average at Uber, BEFORE expenses.) Maybe GM sees a way to rent them, but that will require humungous inventory and there's no return on un-utilized assets.<br /><br />We'll see.Dad29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08554276286736923821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12897315.post-7190457957278117352017-06-17T07:18:48.792-05:002017-06-17T07:18:48.792-05:00My best guess regarding Amazon/Whole Foods is the ...My best guess regarding Amazon/Whole Foods is the analysts think Amazon will make Whole Foods accessible to the masses' wallets that currently shop at WalMart/Kroger/et al. Moreover, the lines are blurring between "low-end" and "high-end" grocers - WalMart now has curbside pickup of groceries, Meijer now has delivery, and Kroger is accelerating the gentrification of Pick 'n Save.<br /><br />As for GM/Lyft, I seem to recall a phrase called "vertical integration". UAW Motors is looking for a guaranteed buyer of their crap, and Lyft fills the bill.steveegghttp://norunnyeggs.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12897315.post-78456081532034951042017-06-17T03:52:03.592-05:002017-06-17T03:52:03.592-05:00GM = Goverment Motors = Zomby Motors = More Bailou...GM = Goverment Motors = Zomby Motors = More Bailouts = Crony Capitalism......... <br />GM is just Looking to Give the over taxed taxpayer another BOHICA moment is all<br /><br />Long ago GM ceased to be an option as a viable source to buy a car <br />as they seek so many government handouts....<br /><br />We will see what comes of the Lyft deal gone bad. <br /><br />Stay tuned in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com