Omni Talk Retail Kroger's E-Commerce Identity Crisis? | Fast Five Shorts
Oct 18, 2025
Kroger is teaming up with DoorDash, raising questions about its e-commerce strategy. One host worries this shift indicates a loss of direction, while the other emphasizes the importance of in-store automation. The discussion balances control over fulfillment networks against the risks of relying on third-party services. They explore how enhancing micro-fulfillment could position Kroger better in the market. Ultimately, there's tension between investing in personal delivery infrastructure and leveraging outside partnerships.
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Third-Party Delivery Becoming Core
- Kroger is increasingly relying on third-party delivery like DoorDash's DashMart to power its e-commerce footprint.
- This signals a strategic shift away from wholly owned fulfillment toward marketplace partnerships.
Swing From Automation To Marketplaces
- Chris warns Kroger may be lost and swinging from Ocado automation to marketplace dependency.
- He argues their long-term network should avoid routing volume through DoorDash and Instacart marketplaces.
Use Marketplaces As White-Label Partners
- Do treat third parties as white-label delivery partners rather than long-term routing channels.
- Build your own fulfillment economics with automation so Walmart and Amazon don't capture your volume.