This concept is fine — nothing particularly breakthrough and unclear why it’s worthy of several millions in VC funding. Given the speed of on-demand deliveries from stores with broad assortment, I don’t get excited about a machine with limited assortment. While the name has struck a chord with many, it’s sure launched the brand with a bang. These guys couldn’t have gotten nearly the publicity they got by paying for it.

Definitely. The negative public relations backlash is predictable, especially in urban areas in which both consumers and store operators are familiar with the name and the concept of a genuine bodega.

The price of clarity is the risk of offense. Bodega cuts through the crap and gets right to the heart of the brand promise. Those who criticize this type of branding are destined to go away.

The on-demand vending channel has potential in specific categories. Best Buy proved that a company can add significant sales and profits with the correct product mix in the correct places. They did a great job with airport kiosks with travel-related technology for example.

CVS is testing OTC drugs in airports, colleges and other places where the need may exist. So the demand is there.

For Bodega to succeed, it will really come down to understanding the customer needs in the specific place they put the machines.

Personally, I don’t care for the name. It does not emit a positive emotion for me. I think they could have come up with a more descriptive name.

The “Bodega” concept holds a lot of promise. I don’t see any serious pitfalls other than the name. But we’ve learned that insensitivity is not necessarily followed by repercussions.

It seems there was no research or even just asking friends and family about possible downsides using a name associated with an existing entity that is deeply entrenched among consumer segments that could be offended. Every name evaluation asks respondents about possible negative associations. I’m guessing that there would have been enough suggestions about backlash to warrant an alternative. But then again, I’m just guessing and haven’t done the research.

Internet-connected vending machines aren’t a horrible idea. They won’t replace traditional retail stores or bodegas. However, they’ll carve out their own niche in apartment buildings and large office spaces. Bodega shot themselves in the foot with their name and logo and by trying to make their concept seem like more than a glorified vending machine. Just call it what it is.

Brilliant move on their part (or pure luck). This is a mundane business: vending machines for businesses — not very interesting. But this has been priceless PR, which they will take all the way to the bank.

The word “bodega” has been used as a brand before. One example is the BODEGA, a Boston retailer which offers a limited line of clothing and other items. This startup’s use of the word as their brand got them something they would not have gotten without it — publicity. The long-term issue is not the use of the term as a brand, but the lack of the utility of their offer.

The Bodega vending machine concept is not new or novel. Its placement at strategic locations for its target market will be the unknown measure of its success or not. While the Bodega name may generate some controversy, it represents the vision of a neighborhood retail location that is convenient. I don’t see internet-connected vending machines taking a big bite of the traditional retail market since they have a limited number of SKUs and no associate support or service to the consumer. They will take a small slice of the non-perishable commodity market.

It’s a free market, they can call it what they like. Ultimately, the customer will determine what concepts or brands win or lose. The fuss has given them a great deal of free publicity, however!

I think it will find some success, but the idea people will abandon centralized shopping for it (as one of the founders suggests) seems quite fanciful.

It’s convenience and immediate gratification and, from what I can see, it’s targeted to a different consumer demographic than the bodega shopper. Having shopped bodegas when I lived in NYC, and still today when I visit, I think it’d be impossible for Bodega to put them out of business or even have a major impact. If you know anything about the amazing merchandising mix and personality of bodegas, you know what I mean. I think the concept will work. Is it a home run? No. But a stand-up double, for sure. Not bad.

Bodega was a very unfortunate choice of words. Not only did bodega supporters – and their union, Bodega Association of the United States — unleash a firestorm of abuse on the entrepreneurs, bodegas, as retail stores, do not have a particularly favorable reputation. Quite frequently they are small unsanitary outlets carrying a limited selection of products — in many cases out-of-date — and no fresh food. Another name would have been a better idea for what is essentially a vending machine operation.

Anything that makes doing business more convenient is worth exploring. The concept of merchandise in vending machines is not new. The concept that Bodega is thinking about is more of a multiple location strategy. The way the machines work is innovative, but still it is a vending machine. Another plus is that if the location isn’t working, just move the machine to another location.

As for the name, it doesn’t bother me. I like it. Any competitive issues that hurt local retailers won’t happen because they named a vending machine Bodega.

Changing with the times impacts everybody. The classic bodega hasn’t changed in many many generations. Nothing wrong here from my perspective, many cultures already do this.

If you head to Japan, they sell pretty much anything you want from a vending machine. Bow Wow Bones is a food truck service for Pets, based in Austin, TX and they also have vending machines for pet-focused products.

I like the thought of having these new bodegas — they’ll be able to get me things I need, but I’ll still stop at a local New York City bodega to get a sandwich that nobody else makes.

This is about survival of the fittest. The traditional brick and mortar [bodega-type] stores could also place vending machines around town. There’s no genius to this move.

I’d say the name reflects a lack of creativity for the product offering. At the same time, I don’t think this is a new concept. While the idea of relying heavily on machine learning to identify the top 100 products to stock has some novelty to it, why wouldn’t any retailer interested in the same idea follow exactly the same approach? Best Buy has proven this can work with the right assortment, and we’ve seen that Uniqlo is replicating the approach in airports for apparel. Maybe they want to be the Redbox of general merchandise, but I didn’t see a nod to franchising in their description. Will have to wait and see if this idea really takes off or not, or, if other retailers just copy the idea.

Naming it Bodega isn’t a blunder, and a startup at this early of a phase isn’t likely to have discovered it’s ideal name yet anyway.

I’d be glad for one of these boxes in my apartment building or office. Tracking items with the camera is a fun way to do it and I could see these things replacing hotel mini-bars as well.

The real questions are: Who owns the device? Who stocks it? Who sets the prices?

Mr McDonald’s vision of 100,000 bodegas replacing centralized stores will shift costs from store operations to more logistics, as these locations will need more frequent restocking. Maybe it makes sense for them to focus less on selling product out of here and more on simply tracking as items move in and out. For example, I’d gladly share 1 set of tools with all my neighbors for how infrequently I need most of them — tracking that with the camera box might be a more compelling case for us than getting quick snacks.