Instacart's profitability and growth spark investor interest. They discuss how Instacart makes money and being a grocery technology company. Live Nation profits from blockbuster tours. They talk about the challenges faced by Live Nation and Ticketmaster, potential monopoly concerns, and the impact of executive compensation on investment theses. The importance of key figures in a company and the resurgence of live concerts are also explored.
Online grocery shopping still has room for growth, driven by convenience and younger generations.
Instacart's ad platform is a significant revenue source, but it faces challenges from cyclicality and competition.
Deep dives
Changing consumer behavior and the appeal of online grocery shopping
According to Instacart's S1, only 12% of grocery shopping took place online last year, indicating that online grocery shopping still has room for growth. However, changing consumer behavior is challenging, and many people, like the speaker, are still accustomed to in-person grocery shopping. The convenience and integration into daily lives of younger generations may drive future growth in online grocery shopping.
Challenges in the delivery side of the business
The delivery aspect of Instacart's business poses unique challenges compared to other delivery services like DoorDash. Grocery delivery requires a greater leap of faith from customers as the quality of produce and other groceries cannot be assessed in person. The job of being a delivery person for Instacart is often not a long-term career choice, resulting in potential turnover. Maintaining shopper loyalty and addressing cost structures are important considerations for Instacart.
The importance of the ad platform
Instacart's ad platform is a significant part of its revenue, accounting for about 30% of its total revenue. With over 5,500 brands on its platform, Instacart has a strong ad opportunity. The company's ability to deliver incremental sales lift for brands through advertisements makes it an attractive marketing channel. However, the cyclicality of the ad market and competition from other platforms pose challenges that need to be managed.
The potential of the membership side of the business and the IPO landscape
Instacart's membership program, Instacart Plus, offers an opportunity for increased spending and customer loyalty. As seen in other similar businesses like Uber, memberships can drive higher spending and long-term profitability. However, with thousands of private tech companies waiting to go public, the IPO landscape is competitive and investors need to carefully assess the potential of each IPO. Additionally, long-term growth and management's adherence to a long-term perspective are important factors to monitor in Instacart's post-IPO journey.
Instacart is profitable and it’s growing, Is that enough to spark investor interest?
(00:21) Jason Moser and Deidre Woollard discuss: - How Instacart makes its money. - What it means to be a grocery technology company. - If a strong Instacart IPO will be go sign for the market.
(17:31) Alicia Alfiere and Deidre Woollard break down how Live Nation profits from blockbuster tours.
Companies discussed: LYV, DASH, UBER
Host: Deidre Woollard Guests: Jason Moser, Alicia Alfiere Producer: Ricky Mulvey Engineer: Dan Boyd