I hear that online giant Amazon
is looking to add to its plethora of products with
a new line ... fresh produce.
Residents of Seattle's Mercer
Island in the United States have been the first targets for
a pilot project called
Amazon Fresh, a new home grocery delivery service to
rival the various box schemes now available.
"
It's just starting out, and it's very small. We are in
the early-stage beta test," said Craig Berman, an
Amazon.com spokesman. "We are offering a great selection
and great prices with a really convenient experience." Berman
said Amazon Fresh would offer items found in a local
grocery store, including organic and non-organic
fruits and vegetables, dairy products, ice cream,
meat, fish,
health and personal care items, cereal, chips and
soft drinks.
It's an interesting scenario. Amazon,
of course, has been dealing in non-book goods for a
long time
now,
but there's something about this new venture that
is kind
of unnerving. It reminds me of companies such a
Tesco; companies that are trying to take over the world
- whilst dumbing it down in the process.
I like Amazon. I buy CDs, books and
the occasional piece of software off them. Can I see
myself going
online and
ordering War and Peace, La Traviata and two heads
of lettuce though? Maybe not. But many people
will. And
perhaps that will be a good thing. At least it
will bloody Tesco's nose if it becomes popular.
Wouldn't
that be
great? Rod Millington
Chief Editor
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