#Amazon Launches Food Delivery Service

[tundrakatiebean]

This is such bullshit. They’ve decided that there’s too much money going to causes that don’t align with corporate interests so they’re going to only give to things they agree with - including their own disaster relief.

Transcript of the email under the cut

[image transcript:

Dear customer,

In 2013, we launched AmazonSmile to make it easier for customers to support their favorite charities. However, after almost a decade, the program has not grown to create the impact that we had originally hoped. With so many eligible organizations—more than 1 million globally—our ability to have an impact was often spread too thin.

We are writing to let you know that we plan to wind down AmazonSmile by February 20, 2023. We will continue to pursue and invest in other areas where we’ve seen we can make meaningful change—from building affordable housing to providing access to computer science education for students in underserved communities to using our logistics infrastructure and technology to assist broad communities impacted by natural disasters.

To help charities that have been a part of the AmazonSmile program with this transition, we will be providing them with a one-time donation equivalent to three months of what they earned in 2022 through the program, and they will also be able to accrue additional donations until the program officially closes in February. Once AmazonSmile closes, charities will still be able to seek support from Amazon customers by creating their own wish lists.

As a company, we will continue supporting a wide range of other programs that help thousands of charities and communities across the U.S. For instance:

Housing Equity Fund: We’re investing $2 billion to build and preserve affordable housing in our hometown communities. In just two years, we’ve provided funding to create more than 14,000 affordable homes—and we expect to build at least 6,000 more in the coming months. These units will host more than 18,000 moderate- to low-income families, many of them with children. In one year alone, our investments have been able to increase the affordable housing stock in communities like Bellevue, Washington and Arlington, Virginia by at least 20%.

Amazon Future Engineer: We’ve funded computer science curriculum for more than 600,000 students across over 5,000 schools—all in underserved communities. We have plans to reach an additional 1 million students this year. We’ve also provided immediate assistance to 55,000 students in our hometown communities by giving them warm clothes for the winter, food, and school supplies.

Community Delivery Program: We’ve partnered with food banks in 35 U.S. cities to deliver more than 23 million meals, using our logistics infrastructure to help families in need access healthy food – and we plan to deliver 12 million more meals this year alone. In addition to our delivery services, we’ve also donated 30 million meals in communities across the country.

Amazon Disaster Relief: We’re using our logistics capabilities, inventory, and cloud technology to provide fast aid to communities affected by natural disasters. For example, we’ve created a Disaster Relief Hub in Atlanta with more than 1 million relief items ready for deployment, our Disaster Relief team has responded to more than 95 natural disasters, and we’ve donated more than 20 million relief products to nonprofits assisting communities on the ground.

Community Giving: We support hundreds of local nonprofits doing meaningful work in cities where our employees and their families live. For example, each year we donate hundreds of millions of dollars to organizations working to build stronger communities, from youth sport leagues, to local community colleges, to shelters for families experiencing homelessness.

We’ll continue working to make a difference in many ways, and our long-term commitment to our communities remains the same—we’re determined to do every day better for our customers, our employees, and the world at large.

End transcript]

#amazon smile #Amazon #corporate bullshit

[nickgerlich]

Missing The Target

Sometimes it is stylish to arrive late at a party, because since pretty much everyone else is there, all eyes will turn when you make your grand entrance. You have entered the room.

But this is often not the case in business, when it is not so much your presence that is noticed, as it is your absence. And when you do finally get there, people are left wondering why you waited so long.

Kind of like with Target, who is now finally considering a membership club. Nothing like spotting your competitors a huge lead, and then trying to stage a comeback, if at all.

To be fair, retail membership clubs have been around a long time, like Costco (1983), Sam’s Club (1983), BJ’s (1984), and others. It was not until 2005 that Amazon Prime launched, and completely in the digital realm. Fifteen years later, Walmart+ set sail, combining brick and mortar with digital.

Which leaves Target so late there might not be any party treats to consume. The booze bottles are nearly empty, the trays of food picked over. It’s not like Target got stuck in traffic; they merely forgot to come at all.

While the early membership clubs are not an immediate threat to Target, Amazon and Walmart are. Prime costs $139 a year, while Walmart+ clocks in at $98. Both include free shipping components, as well as video. Prime Video is provided in Amazon’s bundle, while Walmart has partnered with Paramount+ to offer the streaming service free of charge. Walmart, though, also offers free delivery from its BAM stores, not just online orders, as well as a 10-cent discount on gas.

So what in the world could Target possibly offer that might compete? Target’s grocery operations pale in comparison to Walmart; full-service groceries are only available in Super Target locations, while smaller stores, like the one in Amarillo, offer only a limited selection, the kind that makes even a Trader Joe’s or Aldi look like a world bazaar.

Target would have to find a streaming partner as well to offer a viable option to customers. Oh, and never mind that gas discounts are out of the question, because they never got into that line of business.

All of this then raises the question of how many store memberships a household needs. I have Sam’s, Amazon, and Walmart. I don’t need another. They have a way of locking in customer loyalty, but you are paying for the privilege. I am not that loyal to Target, if only because it is 18 miles away, but more importantly because they don’t offer what the Canyon Walmart has.

We should also note that Target has been busy offering its Target Circle rewards program, which allows shoppers to score discounts and coupons. But the proof is in the pudding. Target’s revenues were in a rather steep decline last year. Perhaps some of this is fall-out from their Pride month merchandise and displays. Timing is everything, and since this happened only a month after the Bud Light fiasco, they wound up in the crosshairs of public scrutiny. Then they blinked and acquiesced, moving the displays farther back into the store.

There are a lot of things I like about Target, though. Hey, Walmart never had folks clamoring to make a faux French word like Target—I mean Tar-zhay—customers did. It’s a higher class of junk, as I joke.

It’s just that they missed the boat on membership clubs. They are a revenue stream, and they provide stickiness. I sense this party is starting to wind down. The fun has about all been had, and we’re looking at a retailer that has missed its own target.

Dr “Improve Your Aim” Gerlich

Audio Blog

#marketing #Target #retail #membership

[gqresearch24]

Target Circle: Elevating Your Shopping Experience | GQ Research

(Source-corporate.target)

Beginning this month, embarking on your routine Target shopping trip could yield even greater rewards and savings.

The beloved discount retailer is introducing three fresh membership options under its Target Circle loyalty program: a complimentary membership, a retail card alternative, and a novel paid membership featuring perks such as same-day delivery.

Introducing Target Circle New Membership Options

This loyalty program makeover debuts during Target Circle week, running from April 7th to 13th, during which rewards members can enjoy discounts of up to 40% on selected spring items. Moreover, on April 13th, there will be an exclusive one-day offer of 10% off Target gift cards.

These newly launched options reflect the retailer’s commitment to delivering an economical shopping experience, as conveyed by a spokesperson to Yahoo Finance.

Cara Sylvester, Target’s Executive Vice President and Chief Guest Experience Officer, emphasized the retailer’s dedication to fostering strong customer relationships through this revamped Target Circle program.

Furthermore, this strategic move positions Target to compete directly with Amazon Prime and Walmart+ in the realm of home delivery services.

Launching on April 7th, Target 360 introduces a new premium loyalty program priced at $99 annually, with an introductory offer of $49 available until May 18th.

Enhanced Benefits and Savings for Target Shoppers

Subscribers to Target 360 will relish benefits such as free same-day delivery, with the promise of receiving items in as little as an hour, along with no delivery fees. Members will also enjoy complimentary two-day shipping via Target’s delivery service, Shipt. Additionally, Target Circle 360 members will gain access to Shipt’s expansive catalog of over 100 retail partners, facilitating swift shipping from stores such as Sephora, Ulta Beauty, and Petco.

Moreover, members of Target Circle 360 will enjoy “no-rush returns,” granting them an extended 30-day window for returning purchased items. Target Circle Card holders will also receive enhanced return benefits.

Target’s introduction of its new paid membership service marks a significant development, nearly two decades after Amazon unveiled Amazon Prime in 2005, renowned for its expedited shipping services.

Today, Amazon Prime offers an array of benefits including discounts at Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods, along with exclusive deals on various products.

Walmart’s recent introduction of Walmart+ at a subscription fee of $12.95 per month or $98 annually further intensifies competition in the market, offering perks like unlimited free shipping and savings on fuel.

As for Target Circle, it remains the retailer’s complimentary loyalty program, offering perks such as 1% cash back on purchases at Target, with the potential for up to 5% cash back with a Target credit card. While the core benefits of this membership remain consistent, the update promises more personalized offers and discounts, including exclusive savings on both in-store and online purchases.

Additionally, Target Circle members can enjoy a 5% discount on a single purchase during their birthday month. The standout feature of Target Circle is its automatic discounts at checkout, sparing members the hassle of hunting for deals or savings independently.

Also Read: Powerball Jackpot Soars To $1.09 Billion, Among The Largest In History

#TargetCircle #MembershipRewards #RetailInnovation #SameDayDelivery #RetailCompetitions

[tritonmarketresearchamey]

Delivery Drones Market - Redefining Modern-Day Logistics

Estimates by industry sources state that drones accounted for more than 500,000 commercial deliveries of packages in the first half of 2023. With the rising e-commerce boom and the need to reduce carbon footprints, demand for delivery drones is escalating. Experts also suggest that the operational costs of a drone delivery service model are lower than a vehicle-based delivery model. Emphasizing this growth potential, our analysis predicts that the Global Delivery Drones Market is set to rise at a CAGR of 40.87% for the forecast period 2024-2032.

As consumers expect quicker and more flexible delivery options, the market for aerial delivery solutions is bound to grow. Additionally, advancements in battery technology and lightweight materials have extended the range and payload capacity of drones. This widens the application scope of food delivery drones in last-mile remote areas.

Explore in detail about this market in our FREE sample-

Delivery Drones Market – Technological Advancements

One of the remarkable aspects of the drone package delivery market is the creation of drones that are capable of navigating harsh terrains. Manufacturers are exploring various technologies, such as VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) capabilities and drones equipped with advanced sensors and AI allowing them to operate in areas without clear landing spaces.

Additionally, drones are being equipped with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors, which use laser light to measure distances and generate precise 3D information about the drone’s surroundings. Machine learning algorithms also enable drones to learn from each flight and improve their navigation capabilities over time.

Recent Developments by Key Market Players:

Wing (a subsidiary of Alphabet) accomplished a fleet of drones authorized for more than 350,000 commercial deliveries spanning three continents. Their drones utilize a combination of sensors and AI to navigate urban landscapes safely. It expanded its service to include more cities across the US and Australia, focusing on delivering everything from medicines to food items directly to consumers’ homes.

Amazon’s MK30 delivery drone is set to launch in 2024, featuring new custom-designed propellers that significantly reduce perceived noise by almost half, alongside being lighter, smaller, and having enhanced capabilities. This drone is designed to fly twice as far, allowing Amazon to serve more customers across wide locations and operate in diverse weather conditions.

FedEx announced a partnership with Elroy Air to test autonomous VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) cargo drones. They are designed to autonomously transport 300-500 pounds of cargo up to 300 miles, aiming to enhance reliability and reduce human error in moving shipments.

UPS Flight Forward received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate a drone airline. They have been conducting drone deliveries of medical supplies within the hospital campus to reduce delivery times in critical situations.

Rising Adoption of Delivery Drones across Regions

The deployment of package delivery drones market is witnessing increasing growth as several regions lead the demand side due to regulatory support and technological infrastructure. North America and Europe are at the forefront, with companies like Amazon and UPS testing drone delivery services.

Similarly, in Africa, drones have been crucial in delivering medical supplies to remote areas, reflecting their delivery potential in varied fields. The Asia-Pacific is also a significant market, with countries like China and Singapore embracing drones for food and package delivery.

In Conclusion,

The developments mentioned above highlight a promising scope of drones towards more autonomous, efficient, and flexible delivery systems capable of addressing the logistical challenges of the modern world. Evidently, drones occupy a central role in the logistics and delivery industry by enabling smooth transportation across difficult terrains and developing smarter and responsive supply chains.

Explore Our Latest Release for the 2024-2032 Market Analysis-

 

FAQs

Q.1) What sensors do delivery drones have?

Commercial drones have several sensors, including a high-resolution altimeter sensor, digital differential pressure sensor, digital barometric pressure sensor, and humidity sensor in tough weather conditions.

Q.2) Do delivery drones use AI?

Drones equipped with AI can process data, make smart decisions to find an open parking spot, detect obstacles, and navigate autonomously, which enhances their utility beyond remote-controlled drones.

#Delivery Drones Market #Aerospace and Defense #triton market research #market research reports

[insidefpvdrones]

Drones of the Future: The Potential of Delivery Drones

Drones have grown in popularity for both recreational and business applications in recent years. However, today's unmanned aerial systems may eventually pale in comparison to the customised delivery drones designed to convey products right to our doorsteps. Major shops, logistics organisations, and digital startups are currently competing to construct drone delivery networks, which are expected to go into widespread operation this decade.  

Delivery drone capabilities are likely to outperform existing UAS systems in terms of speed, range, autonomy, and sheer volume capacity over time. Drones have the potential to totally transform modern supply chains by combining intelligence and next-generation drone technology, from warehouse departures through last mile arrivals directly at homes or businesses.  

Why Delivery Drones Now?

Several socioeconomic problematic conditions have come together, making it the ideal time for delivery drones to prepare for large-scale introductions across industries.

First of all, global business is more interconnected than ever before, thanks to mature ecommerce systems and rising customer expectations for speedy delivery. However, traditional transportation infrastructure is under strain as a result of continuous peak demand from online shopping and food delivery services. Road congestion grows as fuel and labour expenses continue to rise. 

Simultaneously, drones benefit from developments in autonomous flight, battery density for longer flights, and computer vision systems that enable detailed collaboration. Soon, Cloud-connected drone operations might begin which could substantially decrease ground travel delays while completely bypassing roadway limits.  

Shifting governmental policies can both speed and slow the upward trend. Governments are increasingly aiming to cultivate local technology innovators who can provide secure domestic jobs and technological advantages. However, governments thoroughly prioritise safety and privacy concerns about unmanned aircraft flying in public airspace, particularly at scale.

Major Players Targeting Delivery Drones

Originally recognized for bookselling, Amazon now concentrates R&D efforts on logistical difficulties inherent to all businesses. The company leads delivery drone research through its Prime Air subsidiary, which is already undertaking field experiments. Their drone prototypes use obstacle avoidance techniques and AI to transport tiny payloads autonomously. 

United Parcel Service (UPS): the world's largest courier with over 65,000 global vehicles, sees drones as the next delivery platform. Aside from smaller experimental services in certain regions, they unveiled a fully automated mothership concept that releases and receives thousands of delivery drones throughout metropolitan areas.

JD.com, a Chinese powerhouse, just received approval to operate drone delivery routes that will stop at designated runway-equipped apartment blocks. While the initiative is currently in its early stages and limited in scope, it has the potential to support 80 million shipments handled across the country during peak annual shopping festivals.

Wing Aviation: a subsidiary of DJI's parent company, has formed partnerships with major merchants for unmanned aerial delivery in Australia and select US test locations. They present their custom multicopters as perfect "micro-delivery" vessels, with vertical takeoff and landing from surrounding launching sites.  

Meanwhile, Zipline exclusively supports healthcare logistics, already aggregating over 200,000 commercial trips since it was founded. Their fixed-wing autonomous aircraft, which is currently primarily carrying medical supplies but can transport almost any modest payload, will soon expand beyond Africa and into Asia and America.

Ongoing Challenges Around Scaling Delivery Drones 

While the future potential is remarkable, analysts predict more moderate adoption routes. Before unmanned delivery networks can become widely available, significant technical and regulatory barriers must be removed.

With greater cargo weight, most multicopters still have limited single-trip ranges of around 30 minutes. While sufficient for some short travels in jammed urban areas, upgraded batteries, motors, and even hydrogen cells aim to increase roundtrip ranges to achieve widespread viability across regions as well as farther.  

Sensor Improvements AI-powered situational processing, and aviation computer engineering are all helping to improve the reliability of autonomous navigation in uncertain circumstances. Moving beyond line-of-sight transport is dependent on solution integrity, especially when valuable properties are at stake.

Regulatory uncertainty around larger-capacity drones flying larger routes across most nations complicates logistics planning at present. Aviation authorities rightly prioritize public safety and air traffic management through layers of flying standards, pilot qualifications, platform restrictions, operational area limits, and other measures. The policy generally lags years behind advances in technology.

Furthermore, delivery drone infrastructure demands at the national level remain almost hypothetical until large rollouts begin. Refinements in launch/retrieval ergonomics, charging protocols, weather resilience, theft/vandalism deterrents, and payload integrations will advance gradually from small trials to full-scale optimization.  

Delivery Drones - 2030 and Beyond

Once the key building blocks above develop adequately over the coming several years, we may witness delivery drones unleashed across landscapes in unimagined ways by 2030. In the following section we explore various technological possibility and its alignment with practical business application:

Hyperlocal Distribution Hubs  

Small delivery stations, whether owned by Zepto, Amazon, Uber, can be found in localities around towns and cities, allowing gig delivery drones to complete deliveries quickly. These tiny ports may be installed atop malls, Ring-secured homes, or even autonomous roving ground vehicles that circulate zones on demand.  

After receiving orders, things are chosen and packed from dense shelving into standard container boxes that mount securely under drones with few size or weight restrictions. AI optimization bots enable efficient grouping of several cargoes per vehicle. Template containers make it simple to secure a wide range of items.

Dedicated Air Corridors & Traffic Systems

Rather than dangerous free-for-all skies, city traffic planners define designated aerial routes for unmanned logistics use. Drones are safely guided between distribution hubs and destination locations via streamlined corridors. Flight patterns are intelligently aligned based on building heights, population density contours, noise restrictions, existing airport approaches, and other geo-variables. 

Dedicated city command centres monitor drone congestion and weather in the same manner as highways monitor currently, utilising sensors and visual surveillance. This allows for dynamic rerouting and drone coordination in real-time, ensuring reliable delivery even in unexpected situations. Links to homeland security and traffic administration systems help boost local supervision capabilities. 

Recurring Revenue Unlocks Premium Services 

With ultra-reliable logistical frameworks in place, premium commercial services emerge for those prepared to pay a higher price. Dedicated branded drones equipped with company colours and payloads deliver with higher priority. Local retailers now have guaranteed less-than-one-hour windows, introducing on-demand neighbourhood offerings. Gift-wrapped drone arrivals offer an extra special occasion charm!  

Consumer packages also receive small RFID tags for low-energy passive tracking from facilities through handoff. Recipients track positions in real-time as they approach their doorstep. Transparency and predictability improve end-user experiences significantly.

As we stand on the brink of a transformative era in drone technology, the potential of delivery drones is poised to reshape industries and redefine convenience. With major players like Amazon, UPS, JD.com, Wing Aviation, and Zipline pushing the boundaries, the future promises swift and efficient aerial deliveries.

FAQs 1. Are delivery drones safe and reliable?

Yes, advancements in technology, including AI-powered navigation and obstacle avoidance systems, ensure the safety and reliability of delivery drones. Ongoing developments in the industry prioritise public safety and efficient air traffic management.

2. How far can delivery drones travel?

The current range of most multicopters is around 30 minutes for short trips in urban areas. However, ongoing improvements in battery technology aim to extend roundtrip ranges, making widespread drone deliveries feasible across regions and longer distances.

3. What challenges are hindering the widespread adoption of delivery drones?

Significant technical and regulatory barriers, such as cargo weight limitations, regulatory uncertainties, and infrastructure requirements, need to be addressed for widespread adoption. The industry is actively working to overcome these challenges to unlock the full potential of delivery drones.

#drone

[davidmalcolm]

Cloud Capital

FINANCE AND COMMERCE

According to some commentators, wealth, having moved from the feudal period, when the emphasis was on land ownership and wealth from this ownership was provided by rents in various forms and servitude to the lords of the manors, to the capitalist period when the emphasis was on industrial production and the means of production, profit, the buying and selling of shares and capital in companies, buying and selling of goods in markets, the provision of wages, economies of scale and addition of benefit, to the period where we are quickly moving into, that of cloud capitalism, which, in fact is less of a capitalist system and more of a return to feudalism.

Some defining attributes of this new economic model is that the oligarchs who control it tend to produce nothing of huge physical significance (for example goods) themselves but charge fees in the form of rents and or subscriptions for the use of their virtual services. The real estate is virtual and takes the form of platforms or virtual marketplaces.

The seller fees that, for example, Amazon charge are referral fees (introduction of a buyer to a seller), seller account fees and shipping/fulfilment fees. There can be other optional charges for product storage, advertising & promotion, financing. Amazon have buyer/subscriber fees also, such as Amazon Prime which ensures quicker and usually free delivery, and ancillary subscription based services such as music and film streaming services.

The different operating models of vehicle producing companies such as Tesla and Volkswagen highlight the main differences between traditional capitalist and cloud capital enterprises.

Volkswagen is built on a heavily capitalised business producing profitable products and services. Investment is private and public and designed to give investors a return on the capital they provide. Public companies' shares are bought and sold in international trading houses providing opportunities for capital to invest and provide income. Buyers are largely asked to purchase goods and services at point of sale through cash or finance (loans and or leasing plans).

Tesla customers 'invest' in the business by placing a deposit or committing to a finance scheme. Buying into the Tesla brand gives some benefits to the user such as dedicated charging stations when on a journey. The Tesla car is almost like a computer on wheels with enhanced features such as automatic navigation and hands free driving. The emphasis is on the software rather than the hardware: electric vehicles are much more simple that traditional internal combustion engined ones. In Tesla cars, their connectivity is constant.

Running in parallel with this is cryptocurrency, the possibility of purely digital banks and complete extinction of bricks and mortar banks and building societies, and possibly stock markets, the potential of AI to replace many occupations, the removal of the wage earning job and certainly the 9-5.

There are also anxieties around how the above developments will affect the individual and society, and insecurities surrounding global health, food security, energy security, the effects of climate change and political, economic and military upheavals with associated massive scale migration.

WARFARE

Access to technology and the monopolisation and control of information technology can lend huge leverage in conflict situations. During WWII, Britain realised that the Luftwaffe were utilising radio navigation for night bombing missions. Until their blitzkrieg on Britain ended when they launched Operation Barbarossa, British military intelligence and the Air Ministry devised means of jamming and 'bending' these signals causing the bombing missions to miss their intended targets.

The modern equivalent is SatNav, an American development. During the military operations in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq in the early 1990s, the Pentagon managed to tweak SatNav technology to provide accuracy to within 3 metres. This provided the US and allied forces with enormous advantages in military planning of the initial and subsequent conflicts in the middle east. Saddam's regime did try to jam some GPS signals but the US destroyed the jamming apparatus. GPS provided a huge advantage over previous surveillance systems such as radar and visual observation and being a largely American technology, gives them huge advantage over any potential adversaries. Enemy movements could now be accurately assessed, precision given to weapons' targeting and avoidance of friendly fire was enhanced. Saddam's fibre cable network which operated outside of GPS and was used to control his missile arsenal was sabotaged by the coalition forces. As a result of this, other countries have been developing their own GPS systems: India developed a regional system called NavIC. Russia has GLONASS, which, with China's BEIDOU, comes closest to the US SatNav system as does the European Union's GALILEO system. Japan has QZSS which requires development but has the promise of reaching SatNav functionality as it develops.

#cloud capital #Amazon #feudalism #capitalism

[stevishabitat]

Amazon Is Now Charging Prime Members Extra for Ad-Free Streaming. For Some, That’s a Deal Breaker. - WSJ

https://www.wsj.com/business/media/amazon-is-now-charging-prime-members-extra-for-ad-free-streaming-for-some-thats-a-deal-breaker-068d4896

Andrew Scott Grace says he is perfectly happy paying $15 a month to get free shipping for all his orders and have access to the Prime Video streaming service, which he watches frequently.

He draws the line at having to pay $3 more.

When Grace was notified last month that Prime Video would soon include commercials unless he paid extra, he immediately canceled his Prime subscription, forgoing the free-shipping perk and vowing to stop shopping from Amazon altogether.

“There is only one way to show them that this is not OK: to cancel,” said Grace, a 27-year-old gig worker from Sharon, Pa.

Amazon and analysts don’t expect Prime Video’s transition to advertising—which officially begins Monday in the U.S.—to spur a significant wave of Prime subscriber defections. But the discontent shown by Grace and other customers who spoke with The Wall Street Journal is the latest illustration of the growing subscription fatigue affecting American consumers.

An Amazon spokesman said the number of Prime members continues to grow, and the service’s renewal rates are high. “Introducing ads into Prime Video will enable us to continue investing in compelling content,” he said.

The average American household subscribed to more than four streaming services last year, nearly twice as many as five years earlier. And that comes on top of many other forms of subscriptions, from music to news to food-delivery apps.

What’s more, streaming subscriptions have become significantly more expensive in recent months as entertainment giants raise the price of their ad-free plans—part of a push for profitability and an effort to steer more people toward their more-lucrative ad-supported tiers.

Amazon, an e-commerce, cloud-computing and advertising juggernaut, is in a different position: Streaming is a relatively small part of its business, and many Prime users see Prime Video as a nice throw-in rather than the main reason to subscribe to Prime.

159 million viewers right away

Beyond Prime Video and free no-minimum shipping, Prime includes access to services such as Amazon Music, Amazon Pharmacy and Amazon Fresh, a grocery-delivery service. While many Prime benefits were once included free with Prime membership, some now also include additional fees.

Due to the subscription service’s sheer scale—Amazon has over 200 million Prime members globally—Prime Video has a footprint that few other streamers can hope to reach. And because Amazon is choosing to make the ad-supported version of Prime Video the default for all its users, the commercials that run on the service are expected to reach a significantly larger number of people than ads that run on rival platforms.

Amazon has leaned heavily on that selling point in its pitch to advertisers. A presentation reviewed by the Journal said Prime Video ads are expected to reach an estimated 159 million global viewers each month. That is significantly larger than the 23 million monthly active users that Netflix said this month its ad tier had globally.

’s ad-supported tier accounted for 9.4% of its U.S. subscribers in December, according to subscription analytics firm Antenna, compared with 22% for +’s ad plan, which was launched around the same time in late 2022. When introduced a cheaper ad plan, it kept the price of its ad-free version stable. Disney+, meanwhile, launched the ad-supported plan in concert with a price increase; customers could pay up to remain ad-free, or accept ads and stay at their current monthly subscription cost.

Nefllix considered making ads the default option—the approach Amazon is taking—but decided against it, Co-Chief Executive Greg Peters said during an investor call last week. He said Netflix hasn’t “seen any big backlash.”

An exploratory trip to Lowe’s

Amazon’s presentation said the average ad load per hour is expected to be between two and three-and-half minutes, which would be meaningfully smaller than traditional television and most other streaming services. Some commercials would appear before a program begins playing, while others would interrupt it.

Any amount of advertising is a no-no to many. “If I have to watch ads, I shouldn’t have to pay for my entertainment,” said Joel Gratcyk, a 42-year-old digital consultant from Chicago—a lesson he said he learned from all those years watching Netflix. He decided not to renew his Prime subscription when he found out about the new ad-supported Prime Video.

Gratcyk, who has been a Prime subscriber for over five years and initially joined because of the shipping perks, said he is in the process of finding new places to buy the dozen items he gets automatically shipped from Amazon every month, such as coffee and filters for his furnace. He said he recently had a look at his local and found the same filters there for less than he would pay using Amazon.

Bank of America analyst Justin Post said the backlash likely would have been worse if Amazon had decided to raise prices for everyone instead of putting ads in Prime Video. He expects Amazon to benefit greatly from the move, saying it could generate an extra $3.2 billion in advertising revenue yearly and $1.6 billion in additional subscription revenue from the ad-free Prime Video upcharge.

The additional revenue that Amazon stands to generate will help offset its sizable investment in Prime Video. The company spends billions of dollars a year on content for the streaming service, and some of its originals are breaking through. The second season of the action-thriller series “Reacher” was the second-most viewed title on streaming platforms in the week after its release in December, according to measurement firm Nielsen.

A test for the bundling model

Robbie Kellman Baxter, a consultant working with subscription-model businesses, said consumers often get angry when something is taken away from them.

Amazon faced another consumer backlash last year, when it made changes to its Amazon Music service in an effort to get Prime subscribers to pay extra for a premium tier.

Bundling multiple services together—the foundation of Amazon Prime—vastly reduces the likelihood of cancellations because users have more than one reason to keep paying, and many, including retailers and wireless carriers, have been looking to emulate that model in recent years.

Gratcyk said his family has canceled several other streaming subscriptions beyond Prime recently because of rising prices, but continues to have Netflix and Apple TV+ because they are both included as part of a deal with cellular provider T-Mobile.

Doug Doty, a 61-year-old from Missoula, Mont., said he has had Prime for 15 years, and watches Prime Video for about 10 hours a week, largely as background noise. When he found out ads were coming, he conferred with his sister—who shares his Prime account and is a frequent user of Amazon Music. They are leaning toward ending the subscription but plan to stay put until the summer, then reassess.

“There are so many options” when it comes to entertainment, Doty said. “Unless your content is incredibly compelling—and it isn’t—why bother?”

[quillquestchronicles]

Top Ecommerce Companies in India

The exponential growth of eCommerce firms in India in recent decades is largely attributed to the global accessibility of supply chains, logistics, and Internet infrastructure.

This transformation has empowered small businesses, enabling them to compete with larger enterprises and extend their reach to a broader clientele through the assistance of eCommerce companies. Small businesses can now establish online stores, leverage eCommerce platforms to market their products, and access the same financial and customer service resources as their larger counterparts.

Amazon

Amazon stands as one of the leading eCommerce enterprises in India. Back in June 2013, Amazon India, a branch of the global retail giant, opened its virtual doors to Indian customers. Amazon's primary emphasis is on delivering top-tier service to its customer base. The brand is renowned for its swift same-day and overnight delivery services, catering to the needs of today's frequent online shoppers. This has made Amazon a preferred platform for numerous sought-after businesses, such as Xiaomi and Apple, to launch their latest technological innovations, spanning from smartphones to televisions. The transparency of Amazon.com reviews adds a layer of trust to the e-commerce experience, knowing that real people have tested and shared their opinions.

Flipkart

Flipkart made its foray into the eCommerce landscape by initially focusing on selling books. Subsequently, it rapidly diversified into various other retail sectors, gaining a reputation for providing exceptionally affordable electronic products, including mobile phones and household appliances. A highly anticipated event in the Indian eCommerce scene is Flipkart's 'Big Billion Days' sale, which features substantial price reductions of up to 90%. As a result of its remarkable growth and offerings, Flipkart has solidified its position as one of the leading eCommerce companies in India. The star rating system in flipkart.com reviews provides a quick snapshot of a product's overall satisfaction level.

FirstCry

FirstCry holds the sixth position in the list of India's top eCommerce companies. It is recognized as Asia's premier online retailer specializing in products for infants and children. Initially, FirstCry started with a thoughtfully selected range of baby clothing and has since diversified its offerings to encompass a wide array of products catering to children and newborns. Their product catalog now encompasses baby food, picture books, bed guards, nursery decor, and pregnancy care essentials. Before making a purchase decision, I always turn to reviews of firstcry.com to gather authentic feedback from fellow shoppers.

Meesho

Meesho is a swiftly growing eCommerce enterprise in India that has garnered a loyal following. Positioned as a consumer-focused brand, Meesho aims to empower the rural youth of India who are newly introduced to the internet. With the convenience of Meesho's mobile app and website, customers can effortlessly place orders and track the status of their purchases. Notably, Meesho does not impose any joining fees on its merchants, and it does not deduct a portion of their sales. meesho.com reviews, with their candid and diverse nature, create a dynamic dialogue that empowers consumers to make well-informed decisions in the vast online marketplace.

AJIO

As a component of Reliance Retail's eCommerce initiative, AJIO serves as a comprehensive destination for fashion, home, and lifestyle products. This online retailer, which competes with Myntra, has earned the loyalty and trust of its customers.The eCommerce platform not only features exclusive international brands but also boasts its proprietary label called AJIO OWN. The primary objective of the platform is to provide an extensive range of clothing and accessories at competitive price points. As a responsible consumer, contributing Ajio.com reviews allows us to share our experiences and assist others in their buying journey.

Nykaa

Nykaa is an Indian e-commerce platform that specializes in health and beauty products. Founded in 2012 by Falguni Nayar, a former finance banker, the website offers a wide array of cosmetics, beauty products, haircare items, fragrances, and personal care products from both Indian and international brands. Additionally, Nykaa features its own line of products under the Nykaa brand. Boasting a dedicated consumer base, Nykaa serves over 15 million active users and maintains a presence with more than 90 retail locations across India. The diversity of customer reviews of nykaa.com helps us make informed choices, considering a range of perspectives.

IndiaMart

IndiaMART is an Indian online marketplace that connects suppliers and customers across various sectors of the economy. It holds the fourth position among India's leading e-commerce companies. Founded in 1996, IndiaMART offers an extensive range of products and services, including machinery, commercial items, and industrial goods. IndiaMART plays a pivotal role in broadening companies' market reach and provides consumers with a platform to discover the products and services they need. As the largest online B2B platform in India, it serves as a vital link between suppliers and customers. Indiamart.com reviews serve as a virtual marketplace guide, offering insights into product quality and user satisfaction.

FlipTwirls

Fliptwirls is a groundbreaking eCommerce platform that provides an exceptional shopping experience. Its extensive product range spans a wide array of categories, meeting the diverse needs of customers. The website's user-friendly interface and mobile app simplify the shopping process, making it both effortless and enjoyable. Fliptwirls is dedicated to delivering top-notch customer service, secure transactions, and swift deliveries, ensuring a seamless and gratifying shopping experience for all. The openness of Fliptwirls website reviews enhances the trustworthiness of the e-commerce journey, assuring consumers that genuine individuals have tried and expressed their viewpoints.

OLX

OLX offers a platform for sellers to post ads for both new and used items at no cost. Potential buyers can browse the product listings, interact with the sellers, and finalize purchase agreements. OLX is also widely recognized as one of India's top e-commerce companies. This innovative approach was devised to modernize the concept of yard sales in Western countries. Given the prevalent use of second-hand goods in India, OLX rapidly gained popularity as a marketplace for a diverse range of products, spanning from furniture and automobiles to electronics and beyond. Sellers often value positive reviews of olx.com users as they boost a product's credibility and visibility in the online marketplace.

#top ecommerce websites in india #ecommerce sites

[influencermagazineuk]

Business Rivalries That Went Too Far

In the high-stakes world of business, competition can sometimes escalate to unprecedented levels, resulting in bitter rivalries that captivate the public's attention. These rivalries often involve industry giants vying for dominance, resorting to aggressive tactics, and occasionally crossing ethical boundaries. In this article, we delve into some of the most notorious business rivalries that pushed the limits. Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi: The battle between these two beverage behemoths has raged for over a century. In the 1970s and 1980s, their rivalry reached new heights with the "Cola Wars." Both companies launched aggressive marketing campaigns, blind taste tests, and even engaged in legal battles over taste and branding. While the competition led to innovations in marketing, it also fueled a divisive atmosphere in the soda industry. McDonald's vs. Burger King: Fast food giants McDonald's and Burger King have been locked in a fierce rivalry for decades. From the "Whopper Wars" to the "Big Mac vs. Whopper" campaigns, these companies have constantly one-upped each other in the battle for customers. Their competitive spirit has driven menu innovations, but it has also sparked disputes over everything from advertising claims to restaurant locations. Apple vs. Microsoft: The tech world witnessed a legendary rivalry between Apple and Microsoft during the personal computer boom of the 1980s and 1990s. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates became the iconic faces of this feud. Legal battles over copyright infringement and GUI technology were common, and the competition between their operating systems, Macintosh and Windows, became legendary. Amazon vs. Walmart: The battle for retail supremacy in the digital age has pitted e-commerce giant Amazon against the brick-and-mortar titan Walmart. Their rivalry has spurred innovations in online shopping, pricing strategies, and delivery services. However, it has also raised concerns about the impact on local businesses and the treatment of employees. Nike vs. Adidas: The sportswear industry has seen intense competition between Nike and Adidas. Their rivalry extends from endorsement deals with top athletes to marketing campaigns. In their quest for market share, both companies have occasionally faced controversies over labor practices and marketing ethics. Ford vs. General Motors: The automobile industry has had its share of intense rivalries, but the feud between Ford and General Motors stands out. From the early days of the automotive revolution to the "muscle car" era, these companies engaged in fierce competition, often involving lawsuits and aggressive marketing tactics. AT&T vs. Verizon: The telecommunications giants AT&T and Verizon have engaged in a heated rivalry for decades. This competition has driven advancements in mobile technology, network infrastructure, and pricing plans. However, it has also led to disputes over issues like net neutrality and customer data privacy. Boeing vs. Airbus: The rivalry between these aerospace giants has shaped the aviation industry. Boeing and Airbus have fiercely competed for airline contracts, leading to the development of innovative aircraft. Yet, this rivalry has also faced scrutiny over issues such as government subsidies and international trade disputes. Disney vs. Universal: The theme park industry has seen a rivalry between Disney and Universal Studios. Both companies have invested heavily in attractions and intellectual property rights. This competition has transformed the theme park experience, but it has also raised concerns about monopolistic practices and ticket prices. While business rivalries can drive innovation and benefit consumers, they can also have negative consequences, such as legal battles, monopolistic practices, and ethical dilemmas. Finding a balance between healthy competition and responsible business practices is crucial to ensuring that these rivalries do not go too far and harm the industry, consumers, or society at large. Read the full article

[lokalybusinessapp]

On-Demand Grocery App Development – The Complete Guide

On-demand grocery app development has gained significant popularity in recent years, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, where people have increasingly preferred to order groceries online for convenience and safety. Building an on-demand grocery app involves several steps, and this guide will take you through the entire process. Let's break it down step by step:

Market Research and Analysis:

Identify your target market and demographics.

Analyze your competitors and study their strengths and weaknesses.

Understand the needs and pain points of potential customers.

Defining the App Features and Functionality:

User Registration and Authentication: Allow users to create accounts and log in securely.

Product Catalog: Showcase the available groceries with details and images.

Search and Filters: Implement a robust search and filtering system to help users find products quickly.

Shopping Cart: Enable users to add items to their cart and manage it easily.

Multiple Payment Options: Integrate various payment gateways for a seamless checkout experience.

Delivery Scheduling: Let users choose preferred delivery time slots.

Order Tracking: Enable real-time tracking of orders for customers and delivery personnel.

Push Notifications: Send alerts about order status, offers, and promotions.

Ratings and Reviews: Allow users to rate products and delivery experiences.

Admin Panel: Create a dashboard for the store owners to manage products, orders, and deliveries.

Choosing the Right Technology Stack:

For Android App: Kotlin, Java, Android Studio.

For iOS App: Swift, Xcode.

Backend: Node.js, Ruby on Rails, Django, or any other suitable framework.

Database: MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, etc.

Cloud Storage: Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, etc.

Payment Gateway Integration: Stripe, PayPal, etc.

UI/UX Design:

Design an intuitive and user-friendly interface.

Focus on easy navigation and clear product displays.

Ensure a seamless and visually appealing shopping experience.

Grocery App Development:

Develop the front-end and back-end of the application.

Implement the features and functionality defined in step 2.

Conduct thorough testing to identify and fix bugs.

Testing and Quality Assurance:

Perform various testing, including functionality testing, usability testing, and security testing.

Ensure the app works smoothly on different devices and platforms.

Launch and Deployment:

Submit the app to the respective app stores (Google Play Store and Apple App Store).

Adhere to the guidelines and policies of each app store.

Plan a launch strategy to attract initial users.

Marketing and Promotion:

Use digital marketing strategies to promote the app.

Collaborate with local grocery stores to onboard them onto the platform.

Offer discounts and referral programs to attract more customers.

Feedback and Improvements:

Continuously collect user feedback and reviews.

Use the feedback to improve the app's features and user experience.

Maintenance and Support:

Regularly update the app to fix bugs and security issues.

Provide customer support to handle user queries and concerns.

Top 10 Most Popular On-demand Grocery Apps in the World

Instacart: Instacart is a leading grocery delivery service that partners with various grocery stores to provide on-demand delivery to customers in the United States and Canada.

Amazon Fresh: Amazon Fresh, offered by Amazon, delivers groceries and other household items to customers in select cities across the United States, United Kingdom, and other countries.

Lokaly: Grocery is Lokaly’s online grocery delivery and pickup service, available in many locations across In India.

Shipt: Shipt is a grocery delivery service that partners with retailers like Target and Meijer to offer same-day delivery in various locations in the United States.

FreshDirect: FreshDirect delivers fresh groceries and food products to customers in the New York metropolitan area, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and other parts of the United States.

Tesco Groceries: Tesco Groceries is an on-demand grocery app provided by Tesco, a major UK-based supermarket chain, serving customers across the United Kingdom.

BigBasket: BigBasket is a popular on-demand grocery delivery service in India, offering a wide range of groceries and household items in various cities.

Grofers: Grofers is another well-known on-demand grocery delivery app in India, serving customers in multiple cities.

Ocado: Ocado is a UK-based online supermarket known for its advanced technology and robotic warehouse systems, providing grocery delivery services.

How On-Demand Grocery Delivery App Works?

An on-demand grocery delivery app typically follows a straightforward process that involves multiple stakeholders: customers, delivery personnel, and store owners. Here's a general overview of how an on-demand grocery delivery app works:

Customer Registration: The process begins with customers downloading and installing the on-demand grocery app from their respective app stores. After installing the app, users need to create an account or log in using their credentials.

Browsing and Shopping: Once registered, customers can browse through the available products in the app. They can search for specific items or browse through categories to add groceries and other items to their virtual shopping carts.

Shopping Cart and Checkout: As customers add items to their shopping carts, the app calculates the total amount and displays the list of selected products. Users can review their order and proceed to the checkout process.

Payment: At checkout, customers can choose from various payment options, including credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, or other payment gateways integrated into the app. The app securely processes the payment and sends a confirmation to the customer.

Order Processing: After receiving the order and payment confirmation, the on-demand grocery app sends the order details to the partnered grocery store.

Grocery Store Processing: The partnered grocery store receives the order and begins preparing the items for delivery. They may have dedicated staff to pick and pack the products or use the app's integration to streamline order processing.

Delivery Assignment: The on-demand grocery app identifies available delivery personnel based on location and availability. The app then assigns the nearest delivery person to the order for fulfillment.

Delivery Fulfillment: The assigned delivery personnel receives the order details on their app, including the customer's address and the list of items to be delivered. They head to the grocery store for pickup.

Pickup and Delivery: At the grocery store, the delivery person collects the packed items and heads to the customer's location for delivery. The app may offer real-time tracking to allow customers to monitor the delivery progress.

Order Delivery: The delivery person arrives at the customer's address and hands over the order. The customer can inspect the items and pay for any cash-on-delivery orders.

Order Completion and Review: Once the delivery is complete, the customer marks the order as received within the app. They may also have the option to leave a review or rating for the products and delivery experience.

Admin Management: The app's admin panel allows the store owners to manage products, prices, promotions, and monitor the overall operation. They can also review delivery personnel performance and address customer support issues.

What are the Advantages of Developing an On-Demand Grocery App?

Developing an on-demand grocery app can offer several advantages for various stakeholders involved, including customers, grocery store owners, and delivery personnel. Here are some of the key advantages:

Convenience for Customers: On-demand grocery apps provide customers with the convenience of shopping for groceries anytime and from anywhere. They can browse through a wide range of products, place orders, and get them delivered to their doorstep, saving time and effort.

Increased Customer Reach: Grocery store owners can expand their customer reach beyond their physical location. An on-demand app allows them to cater to a larger audience, including those who may not be able to visit the store in person.

Real-Time Inventory Management: With an on-demand grocery app, store owners can efficiently manage their inventory in real-time. They can update product availability and stock levels, ensuring that customers see accurate information while shopping.

Enhanced Customer Loyalty and Retention: On-demand grocery apps can implement loyalty programs, discounts, and personalized offers based on customer preferences. This fosters customer loyalty and encourages repeat purchases.

Efficient Order Processing: The app streamlines the entire order processing system, reducing the need for manual intervention. This minimizes errors, improves efficiency, and speeds up the fulfillment process.

Optimized Delivery Route: Delivery personnel can benefit from optimized route planning and real-time tracking, making deliveries more efficient. This reduces delivery time and increases the number of orders they can fulfill.

Data Analytics and Insights: The app can collect data on customer behavior, preferences, and buying patterns. Grocery store owners can use this data to make informed business decisions, optimize product offerings, and strategize marketing campaigns.

Contactless Payments and Safety: On-demand grocery apps support contactless payments, promoting safety and hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Flexible Working Opportunities: Delivery personnel can benefit from flexible working opportunities, allowing them to work according to their schedule and availability.

Business Scalability: Successful on-demand grocery apps have the potential for rapid scalability. As demand increases, the app can accommodate more customers and expand its services to cover a broader geographical area.

Competitive Advantage: Having an on-demand grocery app can provide a competitive edge in the market. Early adopters of such technology can establish their brand as tech-savvy and customer-centric, attracting more users.

Reduced Overhead Costs: While there is an initial investment in developing the app, on-demand grocery apps can reduce overhead costs for grocery store owners. They may need fewer physical store locations and can optimize their inventory management.

Which are the Features We Must Consider for On-Demand Grocery App Development?

When developing an on-demand grocery app, incorporating the right features is crucial to ensure a seamless and user-friendly experience for customers. Here are essential features to consider for on-demand grocery app development:

1. User Registration and Authentication: Allow users to register and create accounts using email, phone number, or social media profiles. Implement a secure authentication system to protect user data.

2. Product Catalog and Search: Display a comprehensive product catalog with categories and subcategories. Enable users to search for specific products using keywords or filters.

3. Shopping Cart and Checkout: Provide a virtual shopping cart for users to add, remove, and modify items. Offer a smooth and secure checkout process with multiple payment options.

4. Delivery Scheduling: Allow users to choose preferred delivery dates and time slots. Provide real-time updates on delivery status.

5. Location-Based Services: Implement GPS-based location tracking to identify the user's current location. Use geolocation for accurate delivery tracking.

6. Push Notifications: Send timely notifications to users regarding order updates, promotions, and offers.

7. User Profiles and Order History: Enable users to view and manage their profiles, addresses, and payment methods. Provide access to order history for easy reordering.

8. Ratings and Reviews: Allow users to rate and review products and delivery experiences. Display average ratings for products and delivery personnel.

9. Multiple Payment Options: Integrate various payment gateways for credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, and cash-on-delivery.

10. Admin Dashboard: Create an admin panel to manage products, inventory, orders, and deliveries. Enable store owners to view sales data and customer feedback.

11. Delivery Personnel App: Develop a separate app for delivery personnel to accept and manage delivery requests. Provide GPS tracking and navigation for efficient order fulfillment.

12. Order Tracking: Offer real-time order tracking for customers to monitor the status of their deliveries.

13. Multilingual and Multi-Currency Support: Provide language options for a diverse customer base. Support different currencies for international users.

14. Customer Support: Include a chat or messaging feature for customer support and query resolution.

15. Social Sharing and Referral Program: Allow users to share products or promotions on social media platforms. Implement a referral program to reward users who invite others to use the app.

16. Discounts, Offers, and Coupons: Integrate promotional features like discounts, special offers, and coupon codes.

17. Wishlist and Favorites: Enable users to create wishlists or mark favorite products for future reference.

List of Features for Consumer Side On-demand Grocery App

Certainly! Here is a comprehensive list of features for the consumer side of an on-demand grocery app:

1. User Registration and Login

2. Browse and Search

3. Product Details

4. Shopping Cart

5. Wishlist/Favorites

6. Order Placement and Checkout

7. Delivery Address Management

8. Delivery Scheduling

9. Order History and Tracking

10. Push Notifications

11. Ratings and Reviews

12. Referral and Loyalty Programs

13. Customer Support

14. Multi-Language Support

15. Multi-Currency Support

16. Social Media Sharing

17. Discounts and Offers

18. In-App Feedback and Help Center

19. Account Settings

20. Contactless Payment Options

21. Product Recommendations

22. Seasonal and Occasional Promotions

23. Easy Reordering

The delivery panel of an on-demand grocery app is essential for managing and optimizing the delivery process efficiently. Here is a list of features for the delivery panel:

1. Order Acceptance and Management

2. GPS Tracking and Navigation

3. Order Status Updates

4. In-App Communication

5. Optimal Route Planning

6. Proof of Delivery

Delivery Notes and Instructions

8. Offline Access

9. Order History and Earnings

10. Availability Status

11. Contact Support

12. Delivery Performance Metrics

13. Automatic Assignment

14. Opt-out Option

15. Earnings and Payout Management

16. Support for Multiple Deliveries

17. Personal Profile and Settings

18. Delivery Reminders and Alerts

19. On-Duty Status Management

List of Features for the Admin Side of the On-demand Grocery App

The admin side of an on-demand grocery app is crucial for managing the entire operation, including products, orders, deliveries, and user interactions. Here is a list of features for the admin panel:

1. Dashboard and Analytics

2. Store and Product Management

3. Order Management:

4. User Management

5. Delivery Personnel Management

6. Real-Time Order Tracking

7. Push Notifications and Alerts

8. Inventory Management

9. Order Fulfillment Workflow

10. Delivery Area Management

11. Customer Support and Communication

12. Promo Code and Discount Management

13. Reports and Insights

14. Multilingual and Multi-Currency Support

15. Business Settings

16. Content Management

17. Referral and Loyalty Program Management

18. Data Security and Privacy

19. Order Cancellation and Refund Management

20. Help and Support Center Management

Remember that the admin panel is the backbone of the on-demand grocery app, and it should provide a user-friendly interface to efficiently manage all aspects of the business. Regular updates and improvements to the admin panel will help streamline operations and enhance the overall performance of the app.

List of Features for a Vendor Panel of On-demand Grocery App

The vendor panel of an on-demand grocery app is designed to help grocery store owners or vendors manage their inventory, products, and orders efficiently. Here is a list of features for the vendor panel:

1. Store and Profile Management

2. Product Management

3. Inventory Management

4. Order Management

5. Order Fulfillment

6. Real-Time Order Notification

7. Order Preparation Time

8. Analytics and Reports

9. Discounts and Promotions

10. Order History

11. Delivery Partners Management

12. Communication with Customers

13. Customer Feedback and Ratings

14. Account and Settings

15. Payment and Payout Management

16. Multilingual Support

17. Business Hours Management

18. Bulk Product Upload

19. Integration with POS Systems

20. Support and Help Center

List of Features for a Delivery Panel of an On-demand Grocery App

The delivery panel of an on-demand grocery app is designed for delivery personnel to efficiently manage their tasks and deliveries. Here is a list of features for the delivery panel:

1. Order Acceptance and Management

2. GPS Tracking and Navigation

3. Order Status Updates

4. In-App Communication

5. Proof of Delivery

6. Delivery Notes and Instructions

7. Offline Access

8. Order History and Earnings

9. Availability Status

10. Contact Support

11. Delivery Performance Metrics

12. Automatic Assignment

13. Opt-out Option

14. Earnings and Payout Management

15. Support for Multiple Deliveries

16. Personal Profile and Settings

17. Delivery Reminders and Alerts

18. On-Duty Status Management

19. Automatic Route Optimization

20. Contactless Delivery Option

Technology Stacks Required for On-Demand Grocery App Development Process

How Much Does On-Demand Grocery App Development Cost?

Cost of On-Demand Grocery App Development Depending on the Location of Development Company

Cost of On-Demand Grocery App Development Depending on the Features and Functionality

FAQs

Which are the Top 5 On-demand Grocery App Development Companies?

Lokaly: Lokaly is a well-known software development company that has experience in building on-demand grocery apps. They have a skilled team of developers with expertise in various technologies.

Verve Systems: Verve Systems is a mobile app development company that has worked on a variety of on-demand solutions, including grocery apps. They have a strong portfolio of successful projects.

Konstant Infosolutions: Konstant Infosolutions is a top-rated app development company that has experience in developing on-demand grocery apps with a focus on user-friendly interfaces.

Hidden Brains: Hidden Brains is a reputed IT company that has expertise in creating on-demand grocery apps with features like real-time tracking, secure payments, and more.

Mindinventory: Mindinventory is a mobile app development company that has built on-demand grocery apps for clients worldwide and has a good track record of delivering quality solutions.

Please note that the market is always changing, and new companies might have emerged or some of the above companies' positions may have shifted since my last update. It's essential to conduct fresh research and read recent reviews to get the most up-to-date information on the top on-demand grocery app development companies.

What are the Advantages of On-demand Grocery App Development?

On-demand grocery app development offers unparalleled convenience, allowing customers to shop for groceries from the comfort of their homes. It saves time with quick and easy browsing, real-time inventory updates, and personalized recommendations. For businesses, it streamlines operations, reduces costs, and fosters customer loyalty through tailored rewards and flexible delivery options. Contactless payments ensure a safe transaction process, making on-demand grocery apps the modern way to shop for daily essentials.

What are the benefits of developing an on-demand grocery app for my business?

Developing an on-demand grocery app can significantly enhance your business's reach and customer base. It offers convenience to customers, promotes customer loyalty through personalized offerings, and provides valuable data insights for business optimization. It can also streamline your operations and reduce operational costs in the long run.

Can I integrate real-time inventory tracking in my on-demand grocery app?

Yes, real-time inventory tracking is a common feature in on-demand grocery apps. It allows users to view the availability of products in local stores, ensuring accurate order placement and reducing the chances of out-of-stock situations.

Do on-demand grocery apps support multiple payment options?

Yes, most on-demand grocery apps offer multiple payment options, including credit/debit cards, digital wallets, net banking, and cash on delivery (COD), to cater to a wide range of customers.

Get Free Demo Now - https://www.lokaly.in/

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Enquire Now - [email protected]

[healthcareanalystinsights-blog]

USA Food Service Industry Informative Data: Trends, Challenges & Drivers 2023 to 2033

By 2033, it is anticipated that the USA food service industry would be worth US$ 1995.0 billion. By 2023, it is projected to reach a valuation of around US$ 985.5 billion.

The market is anticipated to increase significantly between 2023 and 2033, with a CAGR of 7.3%.

About 26.3% of all food expenses in 1970 were spent on eating out. That proportion had increased to 43% by 2012.

Demand for food service in the USA is anticipated to be driven by increasing number of two-earner households. High earnings, small-sized families, ease of accessibility, and availability of affordable meal options are also key factors that would influence expansion.

Download our comprehensive PDF sample report today and gain valuable insights into this thriving industry. Download Now! https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-17045

Rising spending on advertising and promotions by the nation's top food service businesses will also increase demand.

During the pandemic in 2020, a number of restaurants in the country were forced to close or operate at a reduced capacity. It happened as a result of supply-chain disruption brought on by orders to stay at home, company closures, and social distance regulations.

These factors might have influenced how customers bought food, favoring meals prepared at home over food consumed away from the house.

Growth is also being aided by millennials' conscious avoidance of eating out. This can be attributed to their perceived risk of contracting a virus and the advent of online grocery shopping.

According to the USA Department of Agriculture, food purchases made away from home made up 55% of all food expenditures in 2021. This indicated a return to pre-pandemic levels.

Modern consumers are increasingly choosing not to eat on the go due to their busy schedules. During the projected period, it is anticipated that a number of key market trends, including rising popularity of food trucks, would favorably affect the food truck industry.

The USA is becoming more accepting of vegetarianism. American consumers are increasingly following this eating pattern, which is boosting demand for food services.

Expanding popularity of eating out has also contributed to expansion of the restaurant and food service industries.

Key Takeaways from USA Food Service Industry Report

The USA food service market is expected to     showcase growth at 7.3%     CAGR between 2023 and 2033.

The USA catering service industry is     anticipated to flourish from US$     76.7 billion in 2023 to US$     138.2 billion by 2033.

The USA food service industry is set to     rise at a CAGR of 7.3%     from 2023 to 2033.

The USA food service industry exhibited a     surge of 6.7% from     January to June 2022.

The USA catering service industry is     expected to elevate at a CAGR of 6.1%     from 2023 to 2033.

 “Rising food service digitalization is one of the key forces driving the business since clients find it simple to make bookings and payments online. Developing systems for online payments, takeaway and delivery services would also provide significant opportunities to players in this market.” – Says a lead analyst.

Competitive Landscape: USA Food Service Industry

In the past, product portfolios were less globalized. However, as time has gone on and customer appetite has increased, significant businesses are putting more of an emphasis on the development of new services.

Uber Eats, Zipline, UPS, Matternet, Wing, Flytrex, Zing, Amazon, Wingcopter, Elroy Air, Joby Aviation, Volkswagen, and Wisk Aero are just a few businesses that are beginning to expand their service offerings and market reach.

For instance,

In April 2023, At its location in La Mirada,     California, Yoshiharu Global, a USA-based restaurant operator, planned to     introduce its brand-new Yoshiharu Ramen & Izakaya concept. The     operator, who is well-known for serving Japanese ramen, soft-launched the     new idea on April 7 and will hold a formal opening on April 14, 2023.

Its capacity to keep up with contemporary restaurant trends would be demonstrated by the introduction of an unusual idea at the La Mirada site. It would also enable the restaurant to provide really authentic Japanese eating experiences that are tailored to the changing tastes of its clients.

Get Valuable Insights on USA Food Service Industry

Future Market Insights (FMI), in its new offering, provides an unbiased analysis of the USA food service industry presenting historical demand data (2018 to 2022) and forecast statistics for the period from (2023 to 2033). The study divulges compelling insights on the demand for USA food services based on restaurant & food service industry (service type, delivery method), catering service industry (catering type, end user), and country.

Information Source: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/usa-food-service-industry

#USA Food Service Industry

[loyaltyexpert]

Loyalty Programs in Food & Grocery and Beverage Industry - LoyaltyXpert

Did you know that food and beverage loyalty programs are probably the oldest loyalty programs in the world?

But time changed, people changed, and so did loyalty programs. The wooden tokens were replaced by digital points. People became more transaction. And as ironic as it may sound, good food alone isn’t sufficient to guarantee loyalty today.

That’s why we have created this food and beverage loyalty program a full guide to help you create and run successful food and beverage loyalty programs.

What are Food and Beverage Loyalty Programs?

As the name suggests, food and beverage loyalty programs are customer retention programs that are designed by restaurants, cafes, diners, and other establishments such as food delivery companies in the food and beverage industry.

Likewise, grocery loyalty programs are reward programs that are offered by consumer packaged goods (CPGs) manufacturers, supermarket chains, brewers and soft drinks makers, and others.

Which Types of Food and Beverage Companies Should Use Loyalty Programs and Why?

The innovation of loyalty programs revolutionized many industries including the food and beverage sector. Many players in the industry can benefit a lot by leveraging sophisticated loyalty platforms and running loyalty programs.

1. Restaurants and cafes

Restaurants, cafes, and diners should use food and beverage loyalty programs to encourage frequent visits and enhance customer retention.

2. Fast food chains

Food and beverage loyalty programs are extremely beneficial for national and global fast food chains because of their large customer base and high transaction volume.

3. Bars and pubs

These establishments can leverage loyalty platforms to design and run high-quality loyalty programs for their patrons. 

4. Bakeries and dessert shops

Bakeries and dessert shops can leverage loyalty platforms and food and beverage loyalty programs to promote new products, seasonal offerings, or limited-edition items to loyal customers. 

5. Food delivery services

Can a food tech company do without digital loyalty programs? Certainly not! Be it Uber Eats or Zomato, all leading food delivery services use F&B digital loyalty programs and digital loyalty platforms to engage and retain customers. 

6. Packaged F&B manufacturers

Packaged F&B manufacturers are among the major users of food and beverage loyalty programs.

Create a customized loyalty program in food and beverage industry - Get a Free Trial

Top 3 Examples of Food and Beverage Loyalty Programs

1. My Starbucks Rewards

Launched in 2009, Initially launched as a visit-based reward program consisting of three levels—Welcome Level, Green Level, and Gold Level. In 2012, the global coffee chain major modified the reward program and introduced another “My Starbucks Rewards” four years later.

2. Amazon Prime’s Discount on Whole Foods Market

Amazon Prime, a subscription-based loyalty program from the US-based e-commerce company Amazon, also offers heavy discounts on Whole Foods Market.

3. Chipotle Extras

Chipotle Extras is an app-based loyalty program of Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., also known as Chipotle.

Source: Loyalty Programs in Food & Grocery and Beverage Industry – A Full Guide

#food and beverage loyalty program #loyalty program food and beverage

[nickgerlich]

Speed Matters

A couple of days ago I wrote about the latest in robotic food prep, but in the context of that blog, I also mentioned how Texas A&M University students were now receiving Amazon purchases by drone. And I thought, “Well, it’s about time.”

How much time? Nine years, to be exact. So much for speed. And it is such a monumental thing today that Amazon is making headlines as it rolls out their fleet of MK27-2 drones in both College Station Texas and Lockeford California.

And just for fun, I drilled back—waaaay back—in the archives of The Daily Blog to find what I wrote about it all on 3rd December 2013. People were laughing at Jeff Bezos for his seemingly preposterous idea. Rednecks were salivating at the prospects of shooting these things out of the air. Naysayers had dozens of reasons why they would never work.

Bezos was both right and wrong. They eventually did come to fruition, but he estimated it would only take three or four years to work out the kinks, paramount of which was gaining FAA approval. But now he’s cleared for takeoff.

Of course, there are still some limitations. Packages are limited to five pounds. And while maximum speed is a jaw-dropping 50mph, they only have a 12km range. That’s 7.2 miles in American, or basically a 3 1/2-mile radius from the warehouse. And that’s only on days without precipitation.

Only pre-screened items qualify for drone delivery, which means no breakables. Amazon beefs up the shipping materials anyway, because it is dropped from a height of 12 feet. Heat sensors will stop the delivery if the drone senses a dog waiting below. Or a redneck.

As if these new launches weren’t enough, Amazon has also announced the replacement of this model, a smaller, lighter unit that can also fly in the rain. The new MK30 will go into service in 2024, which is not all that far away.

Drones are the future of delivery, in spite of the fact that Amazon is also rolling out the first 1000 Rivian EV delivery vans it has purchased from the new startup. They plan to have 100,000 of them within a few years. While these new vans will be cheaper and cleaner to operate in the long run, drones offer last-mile advantages that push them over the top. They make it easier to deliver small purchases as fast as humanly possible, faster even than sending out a driver who must then deal with traffic, lights, and the lay of the roads. After all, vans can’t travel as the crow—or drone—flies.

It’s not just speed, though. If overall vehicular traffic can be reduced, the benefits will be significant. Congestion will be reduced, as will emissions. The environment can thank Bezos later.

Of course, it’s not just Amazon joining the drone party. Once Bezos announced his intentions, others took note and started making their own moves. Among at least 10 companies with plans to utilize drone technology, two notables are FedEx and UPS. The same benefits will accrue to them.

It’s not hard to imagine where this is all going. DoorDash and Uber Eats could just as easily use drones, especially if there aren’t liquids involved in the delivery. I could run outside to the fountain to wait for my lunch to be delivered. Plus, I won’t have to tip the drone.

Pharmacies could also benefit, along with the people relying on meds. Instead of having to venture out, or, once again, have a delivery driver, prescriptions could be whisked to their recipients. I doubt any of those parcels would come close to five pounds.

The low-level airspace is going to rapidly fill up in the years ahead. I hope that the drones to come have radar of some kind to keep there from being mid-air collisions. Given time, I’m sure this will all be figured out. It may be longer than sooner, though, just as Bezos found out.

But in the end, speed really does matter.

Dr “Mine Drone Business“ Gerlich

Audio Blog

#marketing #Amazon #drobe #retail #delivery

[paynxt360]

Restaurants are leveraging conversational commerce to drive new customer experiences in 2023

To drive revenue growth, build customer loyalty, and boost customer engagement, restaurants are seeking ways to remove friction from experiences. Conversational commerce is emerging as an innovative way for restaurants to achieve this, while also enabling them to overcome the significant labor challenges faced.

Many of the leading brands, in the quick-service restaurant space, have already deployed conversational commerce capabilities into their operational mix to drive innovative customer experiences.

Panera Bread, for instance, announced that loyalty members can ask Alexa via Echo Show devices to order lunch. The conversational commerce capabilities, announced in March 2023, have been developed in partnership with Amazon. However, for consumers to place orders through Alexa, they will first have to store a payment method with the Echo Show account. Moreover, if the order is a delivery, customers will also have to store their address in the MyPanera account.

Before launching the conversational commerce service, Panera worked with Amazon to help Alexa learn the menu. The feature also enables customers to ask for customizations, if needed. Furthermore, Alexa can also assist customers in tracking their deliveries. Currently, conversational commerce capabilities have been launched only for MyPanera members.

Alongside Panera Bread, Chipotle, Domino’s, and Checkers & Rally’s are among the other fast-food restaurant chains that are using artificial intelligence-powered voice bots to take customer orders. This trend is projected to pick up further momentum in the United States in 2023, as conversational commerce continues to become widely popular among shoppers in the North American market.

Yum Brands, the parent firm that operates KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill, has significantly invested in the conversational commerce segment. This investment has driven positive results for the quick-service restaurant giant.

While discussing its Q4 2022 results in February 2023, Yum Brands announced that its conversational commerce platform Tictuk is driving the digital customer base and sales. In 2022, the firm processed millions of orders through Tictuk. This shows that conversational commerce has the capability to drive incremental revenue for restaurants.

The launch of the chat ordering feature in KFC Mexico resulted in over 90% of users who made transactions through the chat channel being first-time digital customers, indicating a high level of adoption of the new feature. At the end of 2022, the technology was live in more than 3,200 stores across 49 markets. In 2023, the firm is planning to add conversational commerce capabilities to another 1,000 stores.

At a time when inflation is rising and consumers are subsequently cutting down on their restaurant spending, such conversational commerce capabilities have been shown to drive incremental revenue by creating innovative experiences for customers. Consequently, PayNXT360 expects more players in the quick-service restaurant industry to implement conversational commerce strategy into their marketing mix to drive revenue and sales growth, while also enhancing engagement with customers.

Not just restaurant brands, but even retail giants such as Walmart are launching conversational commerce capabilities. This shows that the new way of commerce is certainly on the rise.

In January 2023, Walmart announced the launch of a text-to-shop feature, enabling customers to shop for their favorite in-store products through text. Currently, the firm has launched a shopping experience for customers in the United States. However, with the growing momentum in the space, PayNXT360 expects Walmart to roll out the facility in more of its worldwide markets.

The entry of all of these big retailers and quick-service restaurant brands in the segment means that the investment in the conversational commerce space is expected to grow significantly over the next three to four years. This will subsequently also lead to the growth of the overall social commerce market from the short to medium-term perspective, while also driving innovation and a competitive landscape in the segment.

To know more and gain a deeper understanding of the social commerce market in the United States, click here.

#social commerce e-commerce market research PayNXT360

[home-improvment]

Amazon tour review ✅

Amazon tour review ✅

What is Amazon?

The biggest online retailer in the world and a well-known cloud service provider is Amazon (Amazon.com).

Amazon began as an online bookstore but has now evolved into a web-based company primarily specializing in e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence (AI) services.

The company, which uses an Amazon-to-buyer sales model, has a massive product selection and inventory that allows customers to purchase almost everything, including clothing, household products, furniture, toys, jewelry, books, movies, electronics, pet supplies, and gourmet food.

Amazon has regional websites, software development centers, customer support centers, data centers, and fulfillment centers all over the world in addition to its Seattle headquarters.

To Get The Best Things In Amazon Click Here

History and timeline of Amazon

Since it was established by Jeff Bezos on July 5, 1994, in his Bellevue, Washington, garage, Amazon has gone a long way.

Below is a brief overview of Amazon's development from a small online bookstore to a global conglomerate of commerce.

The 1990s

On July 16, 1995, Amazon made its debut as an online bookseller. Bezos initially incorporated the business under the name Cadabra, but he eventually changed it to Amazon. For the benefit of alphabetical placement, Bezos allegedly searched a dictionary for a word starting with the letter A. He chose the name Amazon as a nod to his desire for the corporation to be as enormous as the Amazon River, one of the world's largest rivers, as well as because it was unusual and exotic. The company's mantra has been "become large fast" since its inception.

The 2000s

The launch of Amazon Prime Free two-day shipping is provided for Amazon consumers using this subscription-based service throughout the 48 contiguous United States, along with other advantages for reading, shopping, and streaming. The current cost of an Amazon Prime membership is $14.99 per month or $139 annually, according to the company's website.

Amazon Web Services

The 2000s also saw the birth of this extensive and developing cloud computing infrastructure. In order to offer online services for websites and client-side applications, the first Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers were introduced in 2006. The foundation of the company's expanding array of web services is Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) and Simple Storage Service (S3). The same year, Amazon also introduced Unbox, a cloud computing and video-on-demand service.

With the introduction of its first Kindle e-reader in 2007, Amazon altered how consumers acquired books while also influencing how they read them. Users can browse, purchase, and read e-books, periodicals, and newspapers from the Kindle Store using this device.

From the 2010s to present

The Kindle Fire, Amazon's first tablet computer, was released in 2011, and the Amazon Fire TV Stick, a member of the company's broad lineup of streaming media devices, was released in 2014.

In 2013, Amazon launched an online marketplace for fine arts called Amazon Art, which has exhibited original works by well-known artists like Claude Monet and Norman Rockwell.

Consumers first had access to the well-known Amazon Alexa in-home virtual assistant in 2015, and in 2016 the Echo Dot with Alexa was released.

In 2017, Amazon purchased the Whole Foods organic supermarket, then in 2018, the network of Amazon Go cashierless supermarkets was introduced.

Consumer reliance on Amazon increased as a result of the surge in in-home shopping during the COVID-19 epidemic, and this tendency is likely to continue.

Retail

Amazon Marketplace. Amazon's e-commerce platform enables third-party retailers to showcase and sell their products alongside Amazon items.

Amazon Fresh. Amazon's grocery pickup and delivery service is currently available in nearly two dozen U.S. cities and a few international locations. A grocery order can be placed through the Amazon Fresh website or the Amazon mobile app. Customers can either get their groceries delivered or visit the store for pickup.

Amazon Vine. Launched in 2007, Amazon Vine helps manufacturers and publishers get reviews for their products to help shoppers make informed purchases.

Woot. Acquired by Amazon in 2010, Woot offers limited time offers and special deals that rotate daily. This shop features refurbished items, as well as new items that are low in stock. Prime members get free shipping.

Zappos. Amazon bought Zappos in 2009. This online retailer of shoes and clothing carries a wide range of brands, including Nike, Sperry, Adidas and Uggs.

Merch by Amazon. This on-demand T-shirt printing service enables sellers to create and upload their T-shirt designs for free and earn royalties on each sale. Amazon does the rest -- from printing the T-shirts to delivering them to customers.

Amazon Handmade. This platform enables artisans to sell handcrafted products to customers around the world.

Consumer technology

Amazon Kindle. Amazon's first e-reader, Kindle, enables users to browse, buy and read e-books, magazines and newspapers from the Kindle Store.

Amazon Fire tablet. Previously known as Kindle Fire, Amazon's popular and high-profile Fire tablet competes with Apple's iPad.

Amazon Fire TV. This line of Amazon's streaming media players and digital devices delivers streamed video content over the internet to a paired high-definition television.

Amazon Alexa. This cloud-based, AI-powered, voice-controlled personal assistant is designed to answer queries, interact with users, and perform other tasks and commands.

Amazon Echo. This is one of Amazon's smart home devices that comes equipped with a speaker and connects to Alexa. Amazon Echo can perform several functions, including talking about the weather, creating shopping lists and controlling other smart products, such as lights, switches and televisions.

Amazon Echo Dot. A smaller, puck-shaped version of the original Amazon Echo, an Echo Dot can be placed in any room and can answer questions, play music, and read news and other stories.

Amazon Echo Show. As part of the Amazon Echo line of speakers, the Amazon Echo Show works similarly through Alexa but also offers a 7-inch touchscreen display to play videos and music and conduct video calls with other Echo users.

Amazon Astro. This is Amazon's first home monitoring robot that works with Alexa. It is designed to help with various household tasks, such as home monitoring, caring for the elderly through notifications and alerts, and following owners from room to room to play TV shows, music or podcasts.

Subscription services

Amazon Prime. This subscription service provides members access to exclusive shopping and entertainment services, discounts and more. As an example, all Amazon Prime members enjoy free one-day or two-day shipping on qualifying orders.

Amazon Prime Video. This is Amazon's on-demand video streaming service that offers a selection of about 24,000 movies and over 2,100 TV shows. This service is included with an Amazon Prime membership.

Amazon Drive. Previously known as Amazon Cloud Drive, Amazon Drive is a cloud storage app that offers 5 gigabytes (GB) of free and secure online storage for photos, videos and files for Amazon customers. Amazon Prime members get free, unlimited, full-resolution photo storage, along with 5 GB of video storage.

Twitch Prime. A monthly subscription service, Twitch Prime is a subsidiary of Amazon Prime. It gives members premium access to Twitch -- a video streaming platform that offers a fun and social way to watch people play games.

Amazon Music Prime. This is Amazon's music streaming service that is free for Prime members.

Digital content

Amazon Pay. An online transaction processing platform, Amazon Pay enables Amazon account holders to use their Amazon accounts to pay external online merchants.

Amazon Music Unlimited. Amazon's premium music service costs $8.99 a month for Prime members and $9.99 for non-Prime members.

Kindle Store. Part of Amazon's retail website, the Kindle Store can be accessed from any Kindle device to purchase e-books.

Amazon Appstore for Android. Amazon's app store for the Android operating system enables users to download games and mobile apps to supported devices.

AWS

S3. This is Amazon's scalable, cloud-based object storage. Files are referred to as objects in S3 and are stored in containers called buckets.

Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS). SQS is a pay-per-use web service that is designed to provide access to a waiting message queue where messages can reside until a computer processes them.

Amazon EC2. This web service interface provides scalability with resizable compute capacity in the AWS cloud. Users can run virtual servers or instances, commonly known as EC2 instances, that can be scaled up or down, depending on the network requirements.

Amazon S3 Glacier. Amazon S3 Glacier is a low-cost cloud storage service for data that might be associated with longer retrieval times. It also offers data archiving and backup of cold data.

AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM). IAM provides secure and controlled access to resources.

Amazon Redshift. This data warehouse in the cloud enables users to query petabytes of both structured and semistructured data using standard Structured Query Language queries. For example, to address the expanding volume of transactions, Nasdaq moved from a legacy on-premises data center to the AWS cloud, which is powered through the Amazon Redshift cluster.

Amazon AI services

Amazon SageMaker. A fully managed cloud machine learning platform, Amazon SageMaker enables developers and data scientists to build, train and deploy machine learning models for predictive analytics applications.

Amazon Lex. This service for building conversational interfaces into any application using voice and text is powered by the same technology as Alexa.

Amazon Polly. A text-to-speech service, Amazon Polly uses deep learning technology to convert text into spoken audio. It includes 60 voices across 29 languages.

Amazon Rekognition. This software-as-a-service facial recognition and analysis platform uses a deep learning algorithm to process images and extract information from them.

AWS DeepLens. This programmable video camera enables developers to easily experiment withmachine learning, AI and the internet of things.

Alexa Voice Service. This programming interface provides developers with a set of C++ libraries to add Amazon Alexa's speech and other capabilities into their applications and devices.

Amazon Transcribe. This service converts speech to text quickly and accurately by using a deep learning process called automatic speech recognition.

Amazon Translate. Amazon Translate is a cloud service that can convert large amounts of text written in one language to another language.

Alexa Skills Kit. This software development kit enables developers to build skills or conversational applications on Amazon Alexa.

Amazon privately owned brands

AmazonBasics. This is Amazon's privately labeled, low-budget brand that mainly sells kitchen, tech and household products.

Amazon Elements. This line of domestic products includes health and personal care items, as well as nutritional supplements.

Mama Bear. This private label of Amazon sells baby wipes, newborn through size 6 diapers, baby food, diaper pail refills and baby laundry detergent.

Presto!. This brand started as a laundry detergent in 2016 but has added household paper towels and toilet paper to its product line.

Amazon Essentials. A Prime-exclusive program, this clothing line offers basic wear for men, women, babies and kids, with additional options for family, big and tall, and athletic activity.

Happy Belly. This private label of Amazon was introduced in 2016 and sells snack food items. In February 2019, the brand also began offering milk delivery services.

Goodthreads. This menswear apparel line is available exclusively to Amazon Prime members. The label offers both casual and professional pieces and is deemed a bit higher quality and more stylish than the Amazon Essentials brand.

Notable Amazon subsidiaries and acquisitions

From healthcare to entertainment, Amazon has acquired multiple companies by tapping into a variety of sectors over time.

Following is a list of Amazon's notable acquisitions and subsidiary companies:

IMDb. The world's most popular database for movies, TV, celebrity, video games and streaming online content was acquired by Amazon in 1998.

Audible. Audible, a book and spoken audio content provider, was acquired by Amazon in 2008 for $300 million.

Zappos. Amazon acquired this online shoe and clothing retailer in an all-stock deal worth $1.2 billion in 2009.

Twitch. A social media and video game streaming platform, Twitch was purchased by Amazon for $970 million in 2014.

Whole Foods. Food, beverage and organic grocery store chain Whole Foods was acquired by Amazon for $13.7 billion in 2017.

Ring. Amazon took ownership of this home security and smart home company in 2018 for $1 billion.

Zoox. An autonomous vehicles, robotics and transportation company was acquired as a wholly owned subsidiary by Amazon for $1.2 billion in 2020.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Amazon acquired this film and TV studio for $8.5 billion in March 2022.

Amazon controversies and criticisms

Amazon has suffered a massive backlash over the years from multiple sources. The tech giant is also being held responsible for creating the Amazon effect -- the evolution and disruption of the retail market due to the company exhibiting monopolistic behaviors.

Following are a few concerns and allegations that Amazon has faced over time:

Monopolistic and anticompetitive behavior. Due to Amazon's size and economies of scale, it has been outpricing local and small shopkeepers and is accused of displacing an open market with a privately controlled one. This is leading to the slow death of the brick-and-mortar store model built by companies such as Sears and J.C. Penney.

Unfair treatment of workers. Amazon is frequently under the microscope for providing unfair work conditions in its warehouses, including treating workers as robots, providing low wages and creating unsafe work conditions.

Huge carbon footprint. Over the past two decades, Amazon has been accused by environmental activists of having a staggering carbon footprint. Transport of any merchandise relies on oil, and since Amazon delivers anything everywhere, it leaves a long-lasting carbon footprint that automatically falls on its shoulders.

E-waste. A recent investigation conducted by British television network ITV uncovered how Amazon is contributing to the world's e-waste crisis by destroying millions of unused or returned products. This also includes millions of electronics, such as phones, computers and TVs that are toxic to soil, water, air and wildlife.

Counterfeit product listings. Amazon has been under scrutiny by brands, shoppers and lawmakers as counterfeiters have been listing and selling fake products on Amazon through its third-party marketplace. To crack down on counterfeit products on its site, Amazon destroyed 2 million counterfeit products sent to its warehouses and blocked 10 billion fake listings in 2021.

Avoiding taxation. Edging fast toward a monopoly status, Amazon has been criticized for often avoiding tax payments despite making huge profits. According to a report by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, the company avoided around $5.2 billion in corporate federal income taxes in 2021.

Amazon finances

According to a news release posted on Amazon's investor relations website, Amazon experienced a significant increase in net sales but a decrease in operating income in the first quarter of 2022.

Following are some notable statistics from the release:

Net sales increased 7% to $116.4 billion in the first quarter, compared with $108.5 billion in the first quarter of 2021. Excluding the $1.8 billion unfavorable impacts from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, net sales increased 9% compared with the first quarter of 2021.

Operating income decreased to $3.7 billion in the first quarter, compared with $8.9 billion in the first quarter of 2021.

Net loss was $3.8 billion in the first quarter compared with net income of $8.1 billion in the first quarter of 2021.

#amazon #amazonrainforest #amazon4k #amazonforest #amazonhaul #amazonwildlife #amazonfinds #amazonjungle #offerteamazon #amazonmusthaves #amazonalternatives #amazonalternative #alternativestoamazon #amazonfba #alternativetoamazon #bestamazonalternatives #buybitcoin #buy #buyethereum #buyorbye #whattobuyatcostco #buycrypto #shouldibuycardano? #beststockstobuynow #shouldibuyethereum? #stockstobuy #smarthome #smarthometour #smarthometech #homeautomation

[stevecarell600]

Drone Package Delivery Market Worth USD 31,188.7 Million, At Exhibiting a CAGR of 53.94% Share, Revenue, Latest Trends, CAGR Status, Growth Opportunities and Forecast by 2029

The global drone package delivery market size is projected to reach USD 7,388.2 million by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 41.8% during the forecast period. Widespread deployment of drones to deliver medical and food supplies amid the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to aid the market make substantial gains, observes Fortune Business Insights™ in its report, titled “Drone Package Delivery Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Fixed Wing and Rotary Wing), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2028”.

Information Source:

Driving FactorS:

Emergence of Drone Startups in Logistics to Augment Market Potential

The growing demand for enhancing the efficiency of logistics operations has triggered a sudden emergence of startups specializing in drone technologies to cater to these needs. For example, DroneScan, a South Africa-based startup, designs drones that transmits live data of scanned items in warehouses, making inventory management more efficient and upping the productivity quotient of workers. An Italy-based startup, Archon, provides autonomous robotic drone services to facilitate supervised as well as unsupervised inspection of warehousing and logistics operations. The drone startup culture is gathering momentum in developing countries as well. For example, in India, several startups have spawned in the past few years that are providing next-gen drone services. Aarav Unmanned Systems, for instance, was started in 2013 and is India’s first drone company to develop drone solutions for commercial applications in the public and private sectors. These developments are expected to power the drone package delivery market growth in the forthcoming years.

The report states that the market value stood at USD 642.4 million in 2019 and shares the following information:

Comprehensive depiction of the industry outlook and trends;

Detailed insights into the upcoming opportunities in the market;

Tangible analysis of the market drivers, restrains, and all possible segments; and

In-depth assessment of the regional and competitive dynamics impacting the market.

Competitive Landscape:

Supportive Regulations to Novel Ideas to Feed Competitive Ardor of Key Players

With the scope for innovation widening, key players in the market drone package deliveries are engaged in coming up with novel drone solutions, especially during the current coronavirus crisis. Supporting their efforts are regulatory bodies that are easing flying norms and rules to ensure timely delivery of essential supplies to people.

List of Key Companies Profiled in the Drone Package Delivery Market Report:

DroneScan (South Africa)

Cheetah Logistics Technology (US)

Flytrex (Israel)

Flirtey (US)

Matternet, Inc. (US)

Boeing (US)

Amazon Inc. (US)

Wing Aviation LLC (US)

Workhorse Group Inc. (US)

Drone Delivery Canada Corp. (Canada)

Zipline (US)

DHL International GmbH (Germany)

United Parcel Service of America, Inc. (US)

FedEx (US)

Industry Developments:

August 2020: Amazon secured clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to deploy its Prime Air delivery drone fleet to efficiently and securely deliver packages to customers. Amazon is now the third company to receive FAA approval to operate drones on a commercial scale after UPS and the Alphabet-owned company, Wing.

May 2020: Wing, a subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet, announced that it has made thousands of drone deliveries in Australia during the pandemic. Launched in Canberra in 2019, the demand for Wing’s services rose by 500% between February and April 2020.

Regional Insights:

North America to Top Other Regions Backed by Rising Preference for Drone Deliveries by Shoppers

North America is set to dominate the drone package delivery market share during the forecast period owing to the increasing inclination of online shoppers towards delivery of goods through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). With a market size of USD 237.7 million in 2019, the region is likely to retain its leading position, which will be supported by the strong financial support to drone startups in the US and Canada.

In Europe, the market is anticipated to be driven by the growing presence of tech companies that are expanding their operations in the region through collaborations and partnerships. Asia Pacific is expected to create exciting opportunities for market players on account of the emerging trend of online purchasing of groceries in the large cities of India, China, and Indonesia. 

#Drone Package Delivery Market