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0 pointsjrochkind17y ago0 comments

I wonder if that would have a higher chance of actually being profitable here in the U.S., charging about the same but cutting out the expensive to-your-door delivery. Although there's probably more food wastage.

The article mentioned Blue Apron (and competitors) are trying to increase sales at grocery stores, maybe some of them can survive like that if that works.

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9 comments · 5 top-level

reaperducer7y ago· 2 in thread

I wonder if that would have a higher chance of actually being profitable here in the U.S.

Kroger has these in the U.S. Probably some other chains, too.

I was surprised by how little food you get, and how expensive the Kroger kits are. I expected them to be a cheaper alternative to Blue Apron, but they're about the same price. And at least Blue Apron and its competitors deliver to my door. I have to stop at the supermarket for the store-brand knock-offs.

TuringNYC7y ago

With Kroger, they have supply-demand uncertainty plus store-level fracturing. The advantage Blue Apron has over Kroger is better predictability of usage and demand pooling. I think this means more spoilage/waste for Kroger, and hence higher required margins for feasibility.

coredog647y ago

We had to give up on the Kroger kits because the quality control on the fresh ingredients was terrible. Even with the refund, it was still a time sink.

flukus7y ago· 2 in thread

> I wonder if that would have a higher chance of actually being profitable here in the U.S., charging about the same but cutting out the expensive to-your-door delivery.

From what I've seen it doesn't help, the in store ones cost almost as a restaurant anyway, But at least a restaurant solves the time consuming part (cooking, cleaning), if your in the store then getting everything packaged together only saves a few minutes.

This is in Australia with a higher minimum wage, I imagine it would make an even smaller difference in the US.

ghaff7y ago

I don’t really have good restaurant options around where I live though. I’d prefer to cook at home a lot of the time. But I sometimes prefer it to be a minimum of planning and prep.

But this is the conundrum. If I can pick up a few ingredients, even if there’s some waste, and throw together a meal quickly the meal kits may not add much.

Symbiote7y ago

When I was a student, the local Sainsbury's supermarket in London had recipe cards by the entrance. It was easy enough to find everything in the shop. There were perhaps 30-40 cards to choose from.

This no longer exists, people probably look on their phones, but the restriction in choice was useful.

Tiktaalik7y ago

Save-on-Foods in BC has both. There's DIY easy meal kits in the meat aisle and they have a grocery delivery service as well.

magic_beans7y ago

I did always wonder why Blue Apron didn't just partner with grocery stores. It makes so much more sense, and my little grocery store in New Amazon HQ, Queens does not have any type of meal kits.

ahi7y ago

I have seen it in grocery stores here in the midwest.

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