Good Bye Whole Foods?

The beginning of the end

Has Whole Food’s Market taken the .com age a step too far? Or is this the inevitable, harmless new face of not only our society but, overall reality as well?

Could the world’s healthiest grocery store soon be closing their doors?

Ever since they opened their doors in the 1980’s Whole Foods Market gain a reputation as the go source for organic foods and all natural remedies. Along with that came the ability to charge high prices as a result of the advantage of little to no competition.

Clearly, those golden days were numbered…

As it is with most industries, it’s all about consumer demand. Suddenly, the high prices started to become Whole Food’s Market’s undoing. More retailers Trader Joe’s, for example, started to offer the same products at much cheaper prices.

Sometimes the wrong move can be nothing short of catastrophic

The focus of putting customers first used to be at the top of Whole Food’s Market’s priority list. Nevertheless, the technology of the World Wide Web has eventually engulfed the so-called healthy retailer whose aim used to be personalization and quality.

After all what better way to grow than utilizing speed but profit as well?

Suddenly combining forces with the biggest online retailer Amazon doesn’t seem such a bad idea after all. Despite the fact that the whole personalization of customer service is now out the winder given the fact that online shopping leaves no room for face to face human contact.

Is this the end of Whole Foods as we know it?

Quite possibly that could be the case. When the merge first occurred with Amazon most consumers were doubtful that anything would change. Clearly, that false assumption didn’t last very long. Suddenly, everything from seafood, meat, produce and everything in between can be purchased online.

Testing the retail waters?

Precisely yes. To assume this isn’t other than a slow online takeover would be nothing more than highly naïve. The Whole Food’s name could be there, but that’s as far as it goes. Even now consumers are already seeing a drop in prices.

Is the cost of bargains a price too steep?

Given that the keys to Whole Food’s Market’s success used to be a devotion to quality the answer would have to be yes. After all, when groceries are delivered to customers even through the use of Amazon’s own delivery service, things will hardly ever go as planned.

In short, mistakes can be made which inevitably result in rotten spoiled food. Will someone explain how on earth that translates to high quality?

Could this ultimately lead to Whole Foods Market turning out the lights never to be lit again?

To most consumers, the days of optimism are without a doubt at an end. This reality is so expected that when the last store turns out the lights it’ll hardly be a shock. In fact most it will be expected. After all, why should Whole Foods be immune from the closures which seem to plague other major retailers?

An inevitable or avoidable outcome?

As of this moment, there seems to be no turning back, after all, Amazon does have ownership now.

Could this have been prevented?

Absolutely, and the unfortunate thing is it would have been just as simple as sticking to Whole Foods Market’s core values. Customer service and quality above quantity and profit. Not to mention their dedication to the many international and local farmer who rely on Whole Foods Markets support to survive.

To assume that these personalized relationships will continue to be maintained when the company as a whole goes online is simply ignoring the truth. Goodbye Whole Planet Foundation.

Could the most precious commodity ultimately be lost?

Precisely, if it hasn’t already.

What essential element to Whole Foods Market’s success could I be referring to?

Their once loyal customers. One of the main reasons why the organic all natural giant was able to get away with charging astronomical prices and stay in business was through exceptional customer service.

Who knew a welcoming smile and personalized assistance with even the simplest of tasks could achieve so much?

One thing for sure…

Whole Foods Market, is still willing to go green, but the wrong kind. I guess at the end of the day for any business, cold hard cash comes before anything else.

 

Mary Thompson