Why Whole Foods is now struggling

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/02/09/why-whole-foods-is-now-struggling/?utm_term=.699f0fec0612

"Whole Foods reported what is arguably its worst performance in a decade, announcing its sixth consecutive quarter of falling same-store sales and cutting its outlook for the year. The company is closing nine stores, the most it has ever closed at one time. A mere 16 months ago, Whole Foods predicted it would grow its 470 U.S. locations to more than 1,200."

I've been to the Whole Foods in Okemos 2-3 times.. it's good for people watching.

beyond that, meh.. give me Monticello's in Haslett.. or even just the Lake Lansing Meijer.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:I've been to the Whole Foods in Okemos 2-3 times.. it's good for people watching.

beyond that, meh.. give me Monticello's in Haslett.. or even just the Lake Lansing Meijer.

I imagine that it's pretty funny to watch all the Columbia-clad 50-something East Lansing residents drive in in their Subarus and cut in line at the customer service counter to complain about the lack of flax seed selection. It's nice that all the Ann Arbor-wannabes that make East Lansing a miserable place finally have a hangout.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:I've been to the Whole Foods in Okemos 2-3 times.. it's good for people watching.

beyond that, meh.. give me Monticello's in Haslett.. or even just the Lake Lansing Meijer.

make any new friends there?

Thank you, Nigel.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:I've been to the Whole Foods in Okemos 2-3 times.. it's good for people watching.

beyond that, meh.. give me Monticello's in Haslett.. or even just the Lake Lansing Meijer.

Does the Lake Lansing Meijer have gelato?

NigelUno wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:I've been to the Whole Foods in Okemos 2-3 times.. it's good for people watching.

beyond that, meh.. give me Monticello's in Haslett.. or even just the Lake Lansing Meijer.

Does the Lake Lansing Meijer have gelato?

probably. I don't know for sure.

They didn't hit upon it in the article, but to become a supplier to Whole Foods now, you have to jump through a lot of hoops. Some of them are unreasonable, or almost impossible to do. Those that say they can do it, get the business. What that has done though, is limit the amount of suppliers they can use. So now if there is a shortage, or some other industry event, they have no way to react. Not only that, but some of those suppliers may be able to meet all the standards they have enacted, but their product is crap. Now WF can't react and replace that product, the consumer can go elsewhere for a better product at a lower price.
They overreacted to the misringing issue they had a couple of years ago. They will have to do something to stay competitive.

InTenSity wrote:They didn't hit upon it in the article, but to become a supplier to Whole Foods now, you have to jump through a lot of hoops. Some of them are unreasonable, or almost impossible to do. Those that say they can do it, get the business. What that has done though, is limit the amount of suppliers they can use. So now if there is a shortage, or some other industry event, they have no way to react. Not only that, but some of those suppliers may be able to meet all the standards they have enacted, but their product is crap. Now WF can't react and replace that product, the consumer can go elsewhere for a better product at a lower price.
They overreacted to the misringing issue they had a couple of years ago. They will have to do something to stay competitive.

Got some corn there one time and it was terrible.

The 5 for a $1 from Publix tasted better.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:I've been to the Whole Foods in Okemos 2-3 times.. it's good for people watching.

beyond that, meh.. give me Monticello's in Haslett.. or even just the Lake Lansing Meijer.

Monticellos is awesome. The Lake Lansing Meijer is a MAC level store. Real ballers go to the new Meijer in Bath.

duffy munn wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:I've been to the Whole Foods in Okemos 2-3 times.. it's good for people watching.

beyond that, meh.. give me Monticello's in Haslett.. or even just the Lake Lansing Meijer.

Monticellos is awesome. The Lake Lansing Meijer is a MAC level store. Real ballers go to the new Meijer in Bath.

a lot of country folk out there, though.

(but, yes, Monticello's is awesome).

Horrock's

Nuff said

Herbie Green wrote:Horrock's

Nuff said

Horrock's is the shiznits.

Herbie Green wrote:Horrock's

Nuff said

If you are going to buy produce, better eat it within about 5 hours.

duffy munn wrote:

Herbie Green wrote:Horrock's

Nuff said

If you are going to buy produce, better eat it within about 5 hours.

hater shocking!

Herbie Green wrote:Horrock's

Nuff said

Horrock's is good - it's just so far away from EL.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:

Herbie Green wrote:Horrock's

Nuff said

Horrock's is good - it's just so far away from EL.

I usually drive over to Horrock's a couple times a year from Metro Detroit to get stuff for the garden. The selection in that place is almost overwhelming. I would go there a bit often if I lived in the Lansing area, but I doubt it would be my primary grocer. Hard to get in and out and the prices leave a bit to be desired.

Whole Foods locations need a pretty large demo of upper income shoppers within a 10 mile radius .

Have family in Boston. When Wegman's opened their Newton MA location two Whole Foods in the area took a hit.

GRR Spartan wrote:Whole Foods locations need a pretty large demo of upper income shoppers within a 10 mile radius .

They are having a tougher go when places like Fresh Market come into town. Then you have Meijer (which owns a piece of Fresh Market) and Spartan stores upgrading selections to appeal to the same demos.

Have family in Boston. When Wegman's opened their Newton MA location two Whole Foods in the area took a hit.

If a Wegman's opened anywhere near me I would probably never set foot in any other grocery store again. I hate Kroger, but it's really my only option right now.

CaptainSlow33 wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:Horrock's is good - it's just so far away from EL.

I usually drive over to Horrock's a couple times a year from Metro Detroit to get stuff for the garden. The selection in that place is almost overwhelming. I would go there a bit often if I lived in the Lansing area, but I doubt it would be my primary grocer. Hard to get in and out and the prices leave a bit to be desired.

it's a great place... you're right - it can be overwhelming. Like walking into a great record store.. you might go in with one or two things in mind but then your senses get inundated and you can't even remember your own name.

duffy munn wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:I've been to the Whole Foods in Okemos 2-3 times.. it's good for people watching.

beyond that, meh.. give me Monticello's in Haslett.. or even just the Lake Lansing Meijer.

Monticellos is awesome. The Lake Lansing Meijer is a MAC level store. Real ballers go to the new Meijer in Bath.

Went to Monticellos for the first time last week. Picked up a bottle of their Spartan White wine that was developed at MSU. It was OK - a little too sweet for me.

Fuck Meijer.