One of the most interesting and sublime experiments happening within Amazon Fresh has to do with Alexa and voice technology. In the former, Amazon still wins, while in the latter, one has to wonder if the use case is broad enough in its appeal to make a difference, and especially when one considers the next point. It’s like doing Target or Walmart without having to physically inventory all the other product categories inside of a store itself.Ī traditional grocer’s only competitive response will be either to allow Amazon into its walls ( similar to Kohl’s KSS) or to partner with third-party services that operate return hubs for online purveyors not named Amazon.

It is almost like Amazon is creating a “faux one-stop shop” (my quotes) for everything a general merchandise store would carry but doing it by way of digital connection points and smartly placed counters and curbside services in and out in front of a grocery store.

The closest competitors that offer something similar to this right now are the mass merchants like Walmart WMT and Target TGT, but, keep in mind, their third-party marketplaces and assortment offerings also still pale in comparison to Amazon.Īmazon is instead doing something quite unique.

Amazon fresh store