First up is the increasing demand for and supply of truly mobile tablets. Carriers such as AT&T and Verizon are finding mobile hotspots through smart phones are greatly increasing in use. So why not monetize that by adding carrier coverage for the tablets being enabled through those hotspots? Who wouldn't want one more contract right?
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/223943/tablets-the-next-connectivity-battleground.html
Next is a great bit of infographics on mobile payments:
http://www.mobilepaymentsinsider.com/2014/04/15/mobile-payments-to-replace-plastic-all-together-infographic/
Most surprising to me was the statement by consumers about when and how they are most likely to use a smart phone for payment:
"Likely Situations Consumers Say They Would Use Mobile Payments Is In:"
- Groceries at a supermarket
- Clothes at a retailer
- Phone bill at a local wireless store
- Coffee at a local coffee shop
- Sofa at a furniture store
- Taxi ride
Next and last is the big bet Kroger is making in the U.S. emulating Tesco and Walmart. Bigger is better. They are increasing the number of large stores, and stores with 'extra aisle' merchandise not traditionally found in a supermarket. Kroger calls these 'Marketplace' stores and these will provide:
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2014/04/16/kroger-bets-bigger-stores/7805015/
I found this to be an interesting approach. What we've seen the last 20 years in the U.S. is an increase in supply of groceries with only the minor increase in demand expected from modest population growth. The result is excess capacity for supply so all of those neighborhood supermarkets are left with too much floor space. It seems to me they will need to re-purpose this space and diversity as some have done by increasing fresh supply including options such as an in-store restaurant. Kroger is taking a very different approach to diversity.
Happy Reading,
J.W. Gant
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