I should clarify: I'm referring to Amazon (prime or whole foods), which I understand is significantly cheaper than Instacart. It might be worth cross-shopping in this case.

I suspect this as well. Enjoying it while it lasts... I suspect the facilities being vertically-designed for this helps, but not enough(Especially the prime groceries; I suspect Whole foods has some but not the same extend?)

I get this, but there are a few scenarios where grocery delivery is genuinely amazing.

- My parents are determined to age in place in their home. They get tired more easily than they used to, and aren't capable of doing as much. Especially in the winter, grocery delivery is a huge help for them.

- People with disabilities may or may not be capable of going to the store. Even for the ones who are capable, it is a much larger time commitment.

- For parents of young kids, leaving the house isn't just putting on pants. It's checking diapers, getting the kids to wear shoes, and timing the trip so it doesn't interfere with naptime, feedings, etc. This is a temporary phase! It doesn't take long before the kids are big enough to enjoy a trip to the store.

Not everyone can just "put their pants on." For some, its more of an ordeal at a physical level.

if they were gone, the worst is you're putting pants on and getting your own products

Says someone with no problems putting on his pants and making a grocery run.

Just try to remember your own words when you get older. You'll get your turn. Everyone does.

Valid!

Takeout and prepared food delivery is much more expensive than grocery delivery.

Walmart+ actually provides a 50% discount if you have a valid benefits card, so that's "only" $7 a month to get "free delivery" from Walmart on the regular. All sent out to their Spark Delivery low-paid gig drivers.

https://www.walmart.com/plus/assist https://www.sparkdriverapp.com/en_us.html

These companies springing up put the old ones out of business. For example check the number of restaurants that hire their own drivers now. There's no going back to the "old way" when it doesn't exist. And now this kind of consolidation means they get to jack up prices however they want.

I had a co worker who was deaf.

Luckily he came of age just as texting took off. I guess in theory he could of relied upon a translator to make phone calls for him, but his life was much improved by modern communication.

Even if new technology makes things easier for 99% of people who are lazy, but is essential for that last 1%, it's a net positive.

Consolidation in this industry is horrible for everyone. Less competition means higher prices and lower pay.