The Non-linear Economics of Grocery Delivery Basket
Instacart’s larger grocery baskets create disproportionately better delivery economics than DoorDash’s, making half the basket size worth…
Topic
food & beverage
Everything our editor has picked under this tag, best first.
PTLO 2026-08-20 Portillo's: Guidance Cut Confirms It's Cheap For A Reason
KC Research Puregold Price Club INC
PureGold Price Club, the Philippines’ largest food retailer, operates hypermarkets, supermarkets, minimarts and S&R membership warehouses.
catechwilliams on X
$AVO calling out the fact that they have been overearning and margins reverting. “experienced normalization of our per unit avocado margins during in Q1.” Noted weak harvest anticipated in Mexcico. $CVGW will be even more adversely impacted by these factors.
catechwilliams on X
$AVO $CVGW 1) Retailers $CMG, etc sourcing elsewhere given MX tariff risk. 2) Avocado price spike during last year’s peak harvest season enabled distributors to realize outsized margins. 1-time benefit has reversed, significant earnings misses ahead for these commodity businesses
catechwilliams on X
$CVGW Mexico tariffs likely a negotiating tactic but if enacted would be catastrophic for $CVGW which sources >90% of its avocados from MX. A 25% premium would render MX avocados uncompetitive, drive sourcing of the commodity to South American producers. $CVGW has 0 SA presence.
catechwilliams on X
$CVGW. Another red flag. CFO departing after just 2 years w CEO's old buddy as replacement. Massively over-earnings w volumes continuing to decline from lost customers and margins reverting lower.
catechwilliams on X
$CVGW In MRQ benefited from temp avocado price spike and 1-time F/X add-back. Volumes have been declining LDD for the last 3Qs ($CMG shifting suppliers). DOJ investigation continues. Prices & earnings reverting lower. Commodity distributor trading at 30x P/E is not sustainable.
catechwilliams on X
$CVGW RFG sale is delayed again (latest 10-Q stated will close end of July). This is the 3rd delay. Now unlikely to close at all. Will require a restatement of the last 2 quarters, revealing much lower earnings (likely negative EPS, negative FCF). https://t.co/lVsZZT37Cf
catechwilliams on X
Calavo Growers faces falling Mexican avocado imports after a USDA corruption crackdown, while South American suppliers gain share. Sales volume fell 13% last quarter.
catechwilliams on X
@Mike10947310 $CVGW Sources >90% of its avocados from Michoacan, MX. $CMG purchases ~10% of tot US avocados. Its latest ESG report noted “diversifying away from Mexican suppliers.” This latest drama down there will almost certainly accelerate sourcing away from $CVGW, etc.
catechwilliams on X
$CVGW Bloomberg: USDA halting avocado shipments from Michoacan, Mexico following threats to inspection officers. $CVGW Sources >90% of its avocado from Michoacan. Potentially related to FCPA investigation given agencies involved. https://t.co/j15wm3bbIa
catechwilliams on X
Calavo Growers' promised sale of RFG missed another deadline after CEO Lee Cole said it would close within a month, then by May.
catechwilliams on X
$CVGW Situation getting : 1) being investigated by SEC, DOJ for bribery, cartel dealings, 2) intensely competitive biz, losing customers/ share w zero earnings; 3) sale of struggling prepared segment faltering. None of this is priced-in yet. Next 2 quarters likely a disaster.
catechwilliams on X
$CVGW It appears DOJ and SEC are investigating for Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations in Mexico. Could result in fines, revocation of FDA license to distribute in US. Shocking no one is considering this existential risk. https://t.co/Icgbfgjn4a
catechwilliams on X
Calavo Growers faces an expanded DOJ and SEC FCPA investigation into its Mexico operations, with potential fines, criminal charges and customer losses cited as material risks.
catechwilliams on X
$CVGW Trainwreck coming--Delayed filing (again) due to issues w internal controls. Potential restatement? CEO has a history of playing games. Commodity business deteriorating due to competition. Desperately trying to sell-off assets.
Ian Bezek on X
@TidefallCapital I think macro beer is still deeply challenged, though I own a little bit of $TAP and $ABEV. I'm much more confident spirits will recover.
catechwilliams on X
$CVGW Just delayed earnings release and 10K filing date 1 month, changed filing status. Note the ongoing dispute w Mexican authorities for tax underpayments. That liability is nearly the size of $CVGW mkt cap. The jig may be up.
Nat Stewart on X
@calleymeans @SecKennedy Looks like a tailwind for $UNFI
Nat Stewart on X
Wendy’s $WEN gets a favorable restaurant-level review in Lee, New Hampshire, citing food quality, clean premises and quick service.
Nat Stewart on X
@calleymeans @SecKennedy Seems like a tailwind for Lifeway $LWAY
Nat Stewart on X
@orrdavid I don't own $WEN but I do see a powerful upside potential. Perhaps I am biased as it has been my favorite burger fast food restaurant for 35+ years (the only one my parents let us go to when I was a kid😂).
Connor Haley on X
Alta Fox says Premium Brands Holdings is significantly undervalued, with 75%+ base-case upside and management actions to narrow its intrinsic-value discount.
