Amazon threat to Duracell and other Berkshire brands

[LongTermView]

Page 75 of Mary Meeker's KP Internet Trends 2017 report shows that Amazon is a little over 30% of the USA online battery market and Duracell is a little over 20% as of 8/16.

 

What are some of the other large Berkshire brands that will feel pressure from Amazon in the coming years? Looking at the big picture, how much will this matter for Berkshire?

[blainehodder]

Ben Bridge Jeweler, Borsheims, Kraft-Heinz, Fruit of the Loom.

[Gregmal]

I think it depends on how far out we want to go. I've said it before but BRK is essentially a collection of great "old economy" brands and companies.

 

If Elon Musk's Boring Company or Hyperloop can successfully send something from CA to NYC in 60 minutes or whatever, couldn't that effect BNSF and all the rails?

 

La Croix and many of the sparkling waters are killing it thanks to newer perceptions of soda that will likely only grow.

 

What will happen to GEICO and insurance companies if people stop buying cars and/or we have predominantly autonomous vehicles?

 

I don't know if these are specifically Amazon threats to Berkshire, but technology is certainly a major threat to the Buffett kingdom if you are looking out several decades.

[CorpRaider]

1999 all over again?

[Guest longinvestor]

1999 all over again?

;D

 

Otoh, TTID. Really, really different. Maybe those who follow, think like Berkshire are just like dinosaurs, just as they were getting wiped off the face of the earth by the storm called FANG.

[rkbabang]

Things do really change sometimes though. It isn't always tulips and bubbles.  When was the last time you ordered from the Sears & Roebucks Catalog?  When was the last time you brought out your typewriter to write a letter, hell when was the last time you wrote a letter? There are bubbles and hype all the time, but there is also real technological change that replaces the old way of doing things and puts the companies who do things the old way out of business.  There is a real threat here, how big or little the threat is is of course debatable, but it shouldn't be dismissed out of hand.

 

 

 

[Liberty]

 

[LongTermView]

Ben Bridge Jeweler, Borsheims, Kraft-Heinz, Fruit of the Loom.

 

Yeah, Fruit of the Loom and Russell should face challenges. I thought The Everything Store said that Amazon has some difficulties with jewelry? Right now I think WFM has different brands than Kraft-Heinz but that space might change quite a bit in coming years.

[longterminvestor]

Duracell Expands Portable Power Lineup With New Offerings

09:03:00 AM ET, 08/26/2024 - Business Wire

The new M100 Portable Charging Hub, G-Series Portable Power Stations, and M-Solar Panel offer flexible power solutions for every aspect of life - at home or on the go!

BETHEL, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 26, 2024--Duracell, the #1 trusted battery brand, today announced the new M100 Portable Charging Hub, an everyday power companion for people who want to live a fully charged life untethered from the wall. The M100 keeps phones, tablets, earbuds, and other small devices charged and ready to go wherever life takes you. Staying connected — and fully powered — has never been easier.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240826926648/en/

The new Duracell M100 Portable Charging Hub, an everyday power companion for people who live a fully charged life untethered from the wall (Photo: Business Wire)

Lightweight and compact, the M100 weighs in at just over one pound and features a tiltable lid with magnetic charging that allows users to position their phone at the ideal angle for taking video calls or consuming content hands free. A second charging platform underneath the lid allows for two devices (e.g., earbuds and a phone) to wirelessly charge simultaneously. Smaller in size than Duracell’s other power products, the M100 Charging Hub offers the same powerful flexibility and stylish design that users have come to know from the M150 Portable Charging Hub and M250 Portable Charging Hub Duracell launched in 2023.

“Small portable devices are at the center of every aspect of people’s lives — from work to play — and the need to have an agile power solution to charge on the go and around the house is more important than ever,” said Richard Wessler, General Manager, Power Stations at Duracell. “The Duracell M100 Charging Hub helps users enhance the power of their homes and offers them the versatility to power their passions whenever and wherever they need.”

With a low profile and sleek look, Duracell’s included M-Dock is discreet enough to keep in your home on your kitchen counter, bedside nightstand, living room end table or shelves, so the M100 Charging Hub is fully charged and ready when you need extra power. In addition to the charging dock, users have the option to charge the M100 with a standard USB-C cable or with the new M-Solar Panel, perfect for recharging the device while away from home.

The Duracell M100 Portable Charging Hub will fully charge in approximately three hours and joins the other M-Series Charging Hubs available at PowerStations.Duracell.com for $99.00. For those looking for more power without losing any of the distinct Duracell style, the M150 Portable Charging Hub offers 150 watts of power and four charging ports, charges in three hours and is available for $139.00. The M250 Portable Charging Hub, with 250 watts of portable power, an AC adapter port to charge larger devices and a charging time of approximately five and a half hours, is available for $199.00.

The new M-Solar Panel is a convenient way to charge the M100, M150 or M250 charging hubs when not near a power source, like a wall or car outlet. The lightweight solar panel is easy to fold and transport, making it an easy option for users on the go.

For those who need even more power, Duracell is also launching the G-Series Portable Power Stations lineup, including the G350 and the G800. Thoughtfully designed for families with an appetite for the outdoors, the G-Series units are outfitted with a lightweight charging cable that can be stored in the unit and can be used as an extension cord. The G-Series units can also charge with any standard extension cord, if needed.

With a 360-degree lantern light, a five-color intuitive built-in display, and a soft grip handle for an easy and comfortable carry, power station lovers can rely on the G-series for supercharged outdoor adventures all year long.

Fully charged in just four and half hours — and with two AC Ports (350W each; 2 ports share a total of 350W), three USB-A ports (3 ports share a total of 7.2A), and one USB-C port (100W output) — the G350 can power string lights, speakers, fans, drones, mini coolers, computers, tablets, phones, fans, and other devices to enhance gatherings with family and friends.

When life calls for more, the Duracell G800 Power Station answers. While it can handle the same small electronics as the G350, the G800 can also power more intensive devices such as most slow cookers and CPAP machines and can also be used for emergency home backup. The G800 includes two charging speeds — fast charge and quiet cool, which extends battery life and make the G800 Power Station much quieter than traditional generators. Power is provided through three AC ports (800W per port, three ports share total 800W), three USB-A ports (three ports share total of 7.2A), two USB-C ports (100W output per port, total 200W), and car charger output of 120W max.

Both G-Series Power Stations can also be charged with the G-Solar Panel, a 100W solar panel. Just unfold it, connect it to a Duracell G-Series power station and point it at the sun to access clean and reliable power. In full sun, the G-Solar Panel will fully recharge the G350 in five to eight hours and the G800 in 10-12 hours.

For more information on the next generation of portable power, please visit powerstations.duracell.com.

About Duracell:

The Duracell brand and company was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE-BRK.A, BRK.B) in 2016 and the iconic brand is known to the world over. Our products serve as the heart of devices that keep people connected, protect their families, entertain them, and simplify their increasingly mobile lifestyles. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a $250B holding company owning subsidiaries that engage in diverse business activities. Visit www.duracell.com for more information; follow us on TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram and like us on Facebook.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240826926648/en/

duracellmedia@citizenrelations.com

Source: Duracell

[dartmonkey]

On 8/26/2024 at 1:41 PM, longterminvestor said:

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a $250B holding company owning subsidiaries that engage in diverse business activities.

This part seems a bit out of date!

[longterminvestor]

I saw that too!  Instead of taking your tack on it being out of date, I was thinking "hhmmm, someone at headquarters gave us their thoughts on the intrinsic valuation of just the hold co not including the subsidiaries...."  

 

Only a Berkshire shareholder can appreciate both sides of that coin, and the humor in them.  Here here for $1T, lets go for $2T!