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The point will probably come when it's not viable to spread stock over a whole vast network of stores unless it's very high-volume stock - this applies to all products, including food.

Satisfying end consumer demand from one ultra-efficient central regional stock CFC has to be more efficient than spreading the stock over multiple locations = Ocado.

The aim has to be to reduce store space for clothing and home but at the same time incorporate smaller items such as socks and underwear into the food only stores.
Then really push M&S.com with the clothing and home range on the back of the success of the food stores.
The largest complete range stores do have their place but only in areas of high footfall and they have to be easy to service.
The weakness is the mid-size stores that can only stock a small fraction of the range and fail many times to satisfy demand - it would be better to close these stores and replace them with an out-of-town food store.

It's certainly possible to use hydrogen as a sub for natural gas in the mains but the expense would make it impractical.

The best idea would be to use green hydrogen from renewables for heavy industry, for example in places like Teesside - close to the turbines in the North Sea. Also, in remote areas to provide energy for example to an electric battery production plant.
And it's also possible to mix hydrogen with natural gas in the mains - up to around 30% [from memory].

It's not panic - just doom and gloom with recessionary fears to the fore.
Brent will react badly as under supply fears recede - even gas has now fallen in price for the same reason.
I doubt the windfall tax will be a problem now with Brent clearly on the way down.

Be wary - sentiment driven Brent always fall further on the downside than is logical.

More on the Kroger acquisition of Albertsons

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4547132-is-kroger-stock-worth-the-risk?mailingid=29411710&messageid=must_reads&serial=29411710.293365&utm_campaign=Must%2BRead%2BOctober%2B18%2C%2B2022&utm_content=seeking_alpha&utm_medium=email&utm_source=seeking_alpha&utm_term=must_reads

It may be a mini-CFC, but it's good to see that Kroger are incorporating the smaller CFCs into their network, presumably to accommodate more limited demand in some areas of lower population density.

If Kroger are serious about giving a nationwide delivery service in urban areas of the US, it will be important that CFCs of all sizes are part of that network.

mrc
Market stability benefits all - including oil companies.
If Brent goes hyper again the easy option for the Treasury will be to take even more windfall tax next April when they conclude their review of Energy Bill Support.
It's much better for Brent to stay in the $70-$90 zone for an extended period.

Bidden will do all he can to control energy prices, that will curb inflation and prevent further interest rate hikes - this is in everyone's interests.
Brent is likely to slip towards $85 - oil prices above what the market can afford simply creates volatility.

Haardboy
Yes, Ceres has a strong cash position and a great long-term future, and the interest payments can only help.

The problem at the moment is short term - and it is caused by high interest rates - is that Ceres customers are likely to slow down investment plans or even put them on hold.
This is particularly likely to apply to Weichai. The Chinese economy is still flat and with Xi Jinping telling his party Conference that he is still following a zero Covid policy, its likely to stay that way over the coming months.

So, unless we get good news from elsewhere, we could be waiting until the Chinese Economy kicks off again - hence the poor sentiment holding the SP lower than we all want.

The SP is starting to move up a bit now, don't worry, as soon as sentiment improves it will rise very strongly.
I guess now is a very good time to buy, but DYOR.

Growth companies and particularly companies in the renewables sector are being harshly treated by the market at the moment.
In the main, because interest rates are liable to keep on rising.

So, its poor sentiment with a reason, and with all the stuffing knocked out the SP - completely the opposite to what we have been used too.

Pockerchips
The fact that Trussless and Kamikaze were able to go ahead with their mini budget is the worry, and there needs to be safeguards so that that cannot happen again.
Imagine if Corbin had gained power and gone on a reckless spending spree, that would have wrecked the economy.

Every country needs fiscal stability and that can only be provided by a strong central bank supported by legislation - rather like the European Central Bank, but that works in a more dynamic way to encourage growth.

I think that what we really need is for the Bank of England to have much more fiscal responsibility - setting spending and borrowing limits - and just leave the Government of the day the choice of what to spend their money pot on with tax rate changes giving them wiggle room.
The trouble is through its the political idiots who legislate.

Hunt is saying all the right things and will hopefully pull things around in the treasury.
Bank of England chief Andrew Bailey described his conversations with Hunt as a meeting of minds.

It seems Truss has been sidelined from the economic decision making and the Treasury are using Rishi Sunak's script.

As for the politics - the Lettuce is still hot favourite - but that is less concerning now and a bit of a sideshow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm-RE95lKJ0

Hunt is saying all the right things and will hopefully pull things around in the treasury.
Bank of England chief Andrew Bailey described his conversations with Hunt as a meeting of minds.

It seems Truss has been sidelined from the economic decision making and the Treasury are using Rishi Sunak's script.

As for the politics - the Lettuce is still hot favourite - but that is less concerning now and a bit of a sideshow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm-RE95lKJ0

My money is on the lettuce - Truss gave a very limp performance at the news conference - the lettuce is still nice and crisp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm-RE95lKJ0

What a pitiful and brief performance.

But, as least she did what she had to with Corporation Tax, so its political rather than economic fallout now.

The odds on the Lettuce are certainly shortening.

The takeover by Kroger is official now -
https://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Kroger+%28KR%29+to+Acquire+Albertsons+9ACI%29+for+%2434.10+Per+Share%2C+%2424.6+Billion+Deal/20703106.html

Good bounce back on the political maneuverings.
it seems like Kwarteng is history and it now remains to be seen if Truss goes as well - my money is on the lettuce.
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/daily-stars-60p-tesco-lettuce-28235047

Kroger are in merger talks with their US rivals Albertsons.

Kroger are the largest supermarket group in the US - Albertsons are the second largest.

A merger between the two would be fantastic news for Ocado.