Warby Parker, an eyewear brand renowned for its direct-to-consumer (D2C) business model, and Allbirds, an eco-friendly shoe brand that went public on NASDAQ in 2021, exemplify innovation in connecting manufacturers directly with consumers without intermediaries. This model promotes a positive image by endorsing an eco-friendly business approach. However, the disclosure of the companies’ financial statements revealed that both had accumulated losses greater than anticipated. While it would have been ideal for manufacturers to supply products directly to consumers, the burden of inventory increased along with rising administrative and marketing costs. Distributors in the middle shared profits, but they also shouldered the financial burden. Choosing eco-friendly options often incurs higher costs due to the search for alternatives, which can lead to accumulating losses. Pollution negatively impacts both consumers and suppliers, and business deficits further inflict additional damage that c...
A big supermarket can do business in the suburbs because of wheels. If someone asked me what is one of the greatest inventions in human history that civilization has ever developed, I would say "wheels." The automobile is also a wheel. Shopping carts are also wheels. Without wheels, how many people would go far and carry heavy loads? Mass distribution is possible because of wheels. To do bulk sales, you have to have a lot of inventory. That means you need a lot of storage space. It also means you need cheap real estate. The trivial circle, the wheel, is the key to solving all these constraints in one shot. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”