Mike Frank, I appreciate your feedback!

I wasn’t so much comparing retail to the automobiles per se, as I was pointing out that:

1. change doesn’t happen overnight, but 26 years in to the introduction of the world wide web, we’re now approaching the back-end of an innovation cycle, which for brick & mortar retailers means their window to reset their business is narrower than ever and nearing a close.
2. I respectfully think your view that automation in fast food and retail is too capital intensive compared to hiring minimum wage workers, overlooks the fact that technology gets exponentially cheaper the more it is deployed in a competitive environment, and that after decades of stagnation, minimum wages in the U.S. and in other developed nations are rising and scheduled to rise even more in the coming years — something I support, but am concerned by, absent other structural changes, such as shifting the cost of healthcare off the balance sheet of corporations. However, I wholeheartedly agree with you that front-end automation won’t solve the ultimate problem for brick & mortar retailers and will actually make certain things worse (by removing the human interaction, brick & mortar retailers are making themselves more like their online brethren, except with more legwork and hassle).
3. Your final point about treating employees better is fair and correct. I was encouraged recently to hear the Business Roundtable “announced the release of a new Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation signed by 181 CEOs who commit to lead their companies for the benefit of all stakeholders — customers, employees, suppliers, communities and shareholders.”

Thank you for your feedback!