Regarding Amazon and its Q2 earnings report last week, as well as its apparent new energy when it comes to grocery, MNB reader Michael Blackburn
wrote:
I don’t disagree with many of your points and Amazon clearly has fumbled the grocery football since acquiring Whole Foods, but I still believe Amazon is committed to “eventually” cracking retail grocery.
Another takeaway from this story, and the Stew Leonard’s video, led me to question: Why is Kroger willing to spend so much capital – monetary and labor – on getting bigger by acquiring Albertsons (on the other hand, its obvious why Albertsons is selling)? Amazon is investing heavily in not only figuring out fresh, but also on improving the store experience with frictionless shopping. And then there is the much smaller Stew Leonard’s and other experiential concepts. Kroger – a traditional grocer caught in the middle – could by applying all the resources being diverted towards this Albertsons deal, which seems at bet having a 50/50 chance of success, and redirect towards beating Amazon to the punch…while also investing in improving its local shopping experience (see Stew Leonards), which is arguably lacking.
So you’re suggesting that Kroger is mistaking size for excellence? Interesting argument.
Another MNB reader had a thought about Amazon’s advertising revenue, which I said seemed problematic since it may be diminishing the customer experience:
Too many sponsored ads definitively diminish the shopping experience for me.. I am shopping less because too many things are popping up that are NOT relevant for me.
Got several emails about yesterday’s comments about self-checkout. MNB reader Kim Marsh wrote:
I think you’re mostly right on self checkout and NBC’s positioning in the segment, but you have to remember who NBC’s audience is….it’s you and me, the grey hairs as you refer to us (although mine is actually blond) ….none of the young people in my life get their news from NBC!!
Fair point.
Another MNB reader wrote:
Thanks for sharing that NBC video. I don’t know whether to laugh or cringe. Maybe a bit of both?
And finally, this email from an MNB reader:
Just wanted to drop you a line to say how much I enjoyed you both covering Tony Bennett recently. And Michael, your reminder about Amy Winehouse brought back to mind one of my favorite videos of them together. Just love how she calls him “Ton”.
I was fortunate enough to see him a number of times and he was always terrific and such a wonderful person to meet. My favorite story about meeting him was when I didn’t actually meet him, but our oldest son did. After a show at Proctor’s Theater I had 2 back stage passes. I gave them to our oldest son Paul and his girlfriend at the time. Paul was and is a musician and primarily drums and percussion . He wanted to meet Clayton Cameron, who was a young drummer that played for Bennett. Paul thought he was something special. When he came out afterwards, he told us he had met Clayton and he was “cool” but what Paul really talked about was how gracious Tony Bennett was. He went out of his way to say hi to Paul and his girlfriend and I think Paul wasn’t expecting that from the “star” of the show. Paul still talks about it even today.
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