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I was in Whole Foods yesterday and was half-expecting to see USB cables for sale between the tomatoes and the oranges—the real-world version of Amazon's product

I was in Whole Foods yesterday and was half-expecting to see USB cables for sale between the tomatoes and the oranges—the real-world version of Amazon's product recommendations... :) But then that got me thinking that Whole Foods just might be their first foray into retail and I could see them making other retail acquisitions in various niches to eventually cover a wide spectrum of goods. Target seems more questionable as this would duplicate the logistic systems they already have.

el_benhameen 9y ago
I think the real-world version of Amazon’s product recommendations would be a man offering you 30 more varieties of apples after you put a Fuji in your basket.
- phamilton 9y ago
  Here's what they currently do https://www.amazon.com/produce-aisle-Fuji-Apple-Large/dp/B001W3JEKG/ref=sr_1_3_a_f_it https://www.amazon.com/produce-aisle-Fuji-Apple-Large/dp/B00...
- code_duck 9y ago
  That seems to be standard with automated product recommendations. I recently purchased a coffee maker for my girlfriend. My Facebook account has become linked my credit card account, somehow, so Facebook has started showing me advertisements for the manufacturer of the coffee maker. There are at least a few faulty assumptions at work there.
  - dave5104 9y ago
    Just in case you want to buy another! /s Always thought those types of ads were odd. I just bought the item you're advertising to me--and in most cases, why would I buy another one so soon? In your case, I'm surprised it's not smart enough to say coffee maker purchased, how about we show some coffee bean ads? (And even in that case, you might make the argument that it'd be a second gift for your girlfriend.)
jbob2000 9y ago
Target has real-estate, they've done all the legwork to figure out where big stores like that need to be. Everything is already built, Amazon just needs to put their logo on it. Voila - digital empire turned physical overnight.
- dragonwriter 9y ago
  How is that different from Whole Foods?
  - jbob2000 9y ago
    Whole foods has ~470 stores in North America and the UK, Target has ~1,800 worldwide. And I've never seen a Whole Foods next to a Target. Amazon just quadrupled their real estate footprint!
    - dragonwriter 9y ago
      > And I've never seen a Whole Foods next to a Target I've seen a couple places where they are in reasonably close proximity in Northern California; that can't be unique.
    - saryant 9y ago
      The Whole Foods flagship store in Boulder directly faces a SuperTarget. (Also faces the big new Google office. Shopping in a store owned by Amazon with that staring at you was kinda surreal the first few days after the acquisition)
  - zodPod 9y ago
    Whole Foods is a high end grocery store and Target is a retail store?
    - dragonwriter 9y ago
      Grocery is a subset of retail; they are both retail stores.
mikey_p 9y ago
I replied to another comment, but this reality is already here: https://twitter.com/alexhillman/status/947593851715424256 https://twitter.com/alexhillman/status/947593851715424256

el_benhameen 9y ago

I think the real-world version of Amazon’s product recommendations would be a man offering you 30 more varieties of apples after you put a Fuji in your basket.

phamilton 9y ago
Here's what they currently do https://www.amazon.com/produce-aisle-Fuji-Apple-Large/dp/B001W3JEKG/ref=sr_1_3_a_f_it https://www.amazon.com/produce-aisle-Fuji-Apple-Large/dp/B00...
code_duck 9y ago
That seems to be standard with automated product recommendations. I recently purchased a coffee maker for my girlfriend. My Facebook account has become linked my credit card account, somehow, so Facebook has started showing me advertisements for the manufacturer of the coffee maker. There are at least a few faulty assumptions at work there.
- dave5104 9y ago
  Just in case you want to buy another! /s Always thought those types of ads were odd. I just bought the item you're advertising to me--and in most cases, why would I buy another one so soon? In your case, I'm surprised it's not smart enough to say coffee maker purchased, how about we show some coffee bean ads? (And even in that case, you might make the argument that it'd be a second gift for your girlfriend.)

jbob2000 9y ago

Target has real-estate, they've done all the legwork to figure out where big stores like that need to be. Everything is already built, Amazon just needs to put their logo on it. Voila - digital empire turned physical overnight.

dragonwriter 9y ago
How is that different from Whole Foods?
- jbob2000 9y ago
  Whole foods has ~470 stores in North America and the UK, Target has ~1,800 worldwide. And I've never seen a Whole Foods next to a Target. Amazon just quadrupled their real estate footprint!
  - dragonwriter 9y ago
    > And I've never seen a Whole Foods next to a Target I've seen a couple places where they are in reasonably close proximity in Northern California; that can't be unique.
  - saryant 9y ago
    The Whole Foods flagship store in Boulder directly faces a SuperTarget. (Also faces the big new Google office. Shopping in a store owned by Amazon with that staring at you was kinda surreal the first few days after the acquisition)
- zodPod 9y ago
  Whole Foods is a high end grocery store and Target is a retail store?
  - dragonwriter 9y ago
    Grocery is a subset of retail; they are both retail stores.

mikey_p 9y ago

I replied to another comment, but this reality is already here: https://twitter.com/alexhillman/status/947593851715424256 https://twitter.com/alexhillman/status/947593851715424256