It’s great that Walmart wants to create greater shareholder value by getting into the groceries-to-the-home business, but I’m not so sure it’s good for the planet. I recently spoke to a younger mom who energetically juggles her work and family lives — she uses Walmart’s delivery to the curb service. She drives to Walmart and pops the trunk, they fill it. Another nice service to help us get more done – while doing less foot shopping (not a “food” shopping typo). But having groceries and perishables delivered to the home in advance makes me wonder what will happen to all the waste.
As a society we’re already tossing out too much food. Ask a restauranteur. Ask a homeless person. It’s mega tons.
You can argue that driving to the store to pick up just-in-time groceries is bad for the planet and I won’t disagree. I need to do better, even in my fifteen-year-old, 42 MPG Prius. My gas mileage is prob way better, though, than any Walmart van or Uber Ford Focus.
Walmart has a tough time ahead competing with Amazon. Bricks, steel and mortar are costly. Groceries will only provide incremental help to Walmart’s bottom line. They best look elsewhere. They best look for a whoosh.
Peace.
