Detroit May Be Bankrupt, But at Least It Has Whole Foods

[KamaAina]

http://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2013/08/01/detroit-may-be-bankrupt-but-at-least-it-has-whole-foods/

In the bleak shadow of bankruptcy, at least one business still believes in Detroit. Ironically, it’s an upscale grocer: Whole FoodsWFM -0.79%.

The high-end supermarket chain may be known for attracting trendy, well-to-do young shoppers in upscale neighborhoods. But the grocery store it recently opened in Detroit is doing double the sales it expected.

Co-CEO Walter Robb said Whole Foods’ timely entrance in to Detroit just eight weeks ago proves the brand can capture value-oriented consumers if it just makes a few changes to its pricing and product selection....

In Detroit, Whole Foods found a way to improve the value perception in its produce aisles by offering conventional produce alongside organic ones, and showing prices per item, rather than by the pound. Whole Foods has been trying, in general, to lower prices on certain products to broaden its customer base.

Amazingly, Whole Paycheck is the only chain grocer in Detroit. Michigan chain Farmer Jack closed its last Detroit location a few years ago.

P.S. The reference to New Orleans is inaccurate. The Austin-based chain has had a location there since at least the early '90s. The present one is on Magazine Street uptown.

[johnp3907]

1. No wonder they went broke----shopping there.

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. +1

[Gormy Cuss]

2. And Sprouts is opening soon in Detroit.

I wonder what the demographics are of the respective neighborhoods where these stores are located.

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. In Los Angeles - Upper Middle class to lower middle class

[Gormy Cuss]

5. Right, same in the SF bay area...

so I wonder if that holds true in Detroit. The article suggests that WF is filling a void in a "food desert" and most urban food deserts are in low income areas.