The Telegram - News - Canada - World - Business

Article

Print
Send to a friend
Comment (0)

Food co-ops brace for arrival of giant rivals like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's

Published on September 6, 2012; Published on September 6, 2012

Topics :: Whole Foods , Trader Joe's , Boise Co-op , California , BOISE, Idaho , Texas

BOISE, Idaho - The Boise Co-op eliminated thousands of slow-selling items. The Wheatsvile Food Co-op in Texas is opening its second store after 40 years. And the Davis Food Co-op in California is turning to a store designer.

It's no coincidence food co-operatives across the U.S. are making big changes. Many are preparing for the arrival of a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, two organic- and specialty-food industry giants that are opening new stores nationwide.

Some co-ops are even dispatching camera-toting, intelligence-gathering crews to poach ideas from the big guys.

With demand for organic, natural and specialty food continuing to outpace other grocery-industry segments, co-ops say they must improve their stores, identify trends and appeal to a changing audience as the competition moves in.

©

Rate
Top of the page

Submit a comment

Submit a comment Your name* Email* (we keep all emails private) Write your comment here*

Agreement

We ask that users remain courteous. You may not post insulting, discriminatory or inappropriate content, which may be removed at our discretion. We are not responsible for user content and opinions. Use of this site as well as content submission & ownership are governed by our Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.

Member organizations should be non-profit in nature, and promote legal activities. Any organization found promoting illegal activities or commercial products or services will be deleted from the site.

I agree with these conditions.