goPuff - Misunderstood & Different
goPuff continues to take vertically integrated on-demand delivery to the next level. Not a lot of people understand this company. There is only one word you need to understand goPuff. "Logistics". btw that word for Instacart is "advertising".
Most people look at the funny name and their lack of proximity to Silicon Valley as a negative. Remember how Facebook built its empire? On the backs of universities. Two Drexel students build an on-demand delivery empire with positive unit economics from day 1, and unlike other players -- it is not an aggregator.
They are a vertically integrated retailer in the truest sense of the term. Buying inventory, housing it locally, and delivering it with its own workers. You might call them the "anti-Instacart".
This gives them a much better customer experience than Instacart because you are not choosing a store. What's the point in that? I just want the products.
The latest news? They have hired 20 year veteran VP of Amazon Logistics - Tim Collins - widely respected.
And oh yeah, last month they raised another $1.2B at a $9B valuation. They have raised more than Instacart, but their logistics-centric solution needs more capital.
I'll say it again, the last mile is the most interesting mile.
Love eCommerce
