APRN - Amazon Escalates the Grab-and-Go War
It's one of those in-store initiatives most investors might simply dismiss. In this case though, the fact that Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) is introducing hot foods and fountain sodas at its Amazon Go store in San Francisco's financial district speaks volumes. Such grab-and-go offerings have always been used by grocers and convenience stores to round out a shopping trip. But, given the rising levels of busyness consumers contend with every day, ready-to-eat meals could become a key differentiator between Amazon's grocery stores, Kroger (NYSE: KR), Walmart (NYSE: WMT), and any other player that dares to take on those big three.
There's a shocking paradigm shift under way in America. Consumers are busier than ever, and they're caring less and less about who solves their time-based and appetite problems.
The evidence: The National Association of Convenience Stores reports 56% of U.S. consumers now purchase a meal from a gas station at least once per month. Three-fourths of those customers are seeking healthier options when they do so, and perhaps more shocking is, they're usually finding them. Vegan hamburgers and cauliflower-crusted pizzas aren't exactly unusual or exotic gas station fare anymore.