Whole Foods Good For Some, Not Others

By George Anderson


Some small natural food stores have failed under the competitive pressure of Whole Foods. Others, such as My Organic Market operating in the Washington, DC area, have thrived.


The “little guys” have been able to survive in part, the Christian Science Monitor reports, because Whole Foods and others have helped to increase consumer awareness of
organics significantly. Sales have grown right along with the expanded consumer awareness with annual increases maintaining a double digit pace.


Whole Foods, for one, is thinking bigger. Its executive vice president, A.C. Gallo said, “Our stores are getting bigger and bigger. We want people to feel that we offer everything.”


The average size of a Whole Foods location is growing from 35,000 square feet to 43,000.


Moderator’s Comment: What impact is Whole Foods having on consumer consciousness and the health/natural foods business?


Scott Nash, owner of My Organic Market, a three-store independent, isn’t blaming the big guys. He told the Christian Science Monitor, “These independents
aren’t entitled to survive; they’re just entitled to compete,” he says. “I think anyone that has a problem with [Whole Foods] is really just whining.”
[George
Anderson – Moderator
]

BrainTrust

Discussion Questions

Poll

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments