[BinaryIdiot]

I can't disagree with you enough. This will be a huge game changer. Sure, it won't change things a ton for the consumer (many times do you really need that item the same day or is 1-2 days okay to wait?) but for the retail companies that adapt this is going to be HUGE.

Yes drones are impractical right now but we have just begun using them (they're still incredibly new). Battery technology will improve, drones will get better. By investing in the technology now you can work through it, find what works best, iterate and repeat with small subsets of customers. When drones become more cost effective and efficient you'll be ready and already serving products this way. Years later you may even close many of your retail stores. Why would you need them? People can use their phone, order something and have it just come to them. Logistics can be reworked incredibly so they can hold more inventory at less locations (thus lowering the overall inventory hold).

It's not going to happen today or tomorrow but 5-10 years? Drones are going to save companies billions of dollars on retail locations. Sounds crazy today sure but don't bet against technology.

[nsgi]

> many times do you really need that item the same day or is 1-2 days okay to wait?

How many people use Amazon Prime? Clearly a few days makes a big difference to a lot of people.

[BinaryIdiot]

> Clearly a few days makes a big difference to a lot of people.

It certainly does hence why I mentioned 1-2 days assuming everyone was someone who does 2 day at the most :)

I'd imagine more people care about getting it in 1-2 days versus 3-5 days but I'm not sure how many care about the time difference in getting it same day. Sure people care but I feel like the bigger business opportunity is slimming down the inventory and retail presence.