Whole Foods Dynamic not Static with Fresh Food

While Whole Foods continues to garner customer frequency with ‘better for you’ Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food.  That Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru™ calls some of the most impressive and expansive fresh food offerings within the industry.  Don’t for a minute think that is all they are working on.  Here is a look at six additional initiatives that are exploring to maintain customer relevance. They are:

1. Apple Pay

Whole Foods is going to adopt Apple Pay, which is supposed to make mobile payments more convenient and secure. People with newer-model iPhones and the iWatch will be able to use the mobile payment system. As an early adopter of the technology, Whole Foods could convert Apple-friendly customers.

2. Instacart Delivery Service

Whole Foods recently announced a partnership with Instacart in 15 cities, allowing the company to deliver groceries in just an hour. Customers can also buy a yearlong membership for free delivery on orders over $US35. Whole Foods will be adding the delivery service in 13 additional U.S. cities this year. Grom believes this will help the company attract younger customers.

3. WFM Wine Club

Whole Foods is partnering with Wine.com for the club. “The subscription program will begin on October 1, enabling club members to receive four shipments of six bottles each year, priced at $US125 per shipment, including shipping costs,” Grom writes. “The six wines, sent on a quarterly basis, will be curated by global wine buyer Doug Bell and Master Sommelier Devon Broglie.”

4. New Mobile App

Whole Foods’ current app, which mainly features recipes, is largely ineffective, according to Grom. The company plans to release an improved app that is expected to incorporate loyalty rewards, order-ahead, and Apple Pay.

5. Marketing Campaign

In October, Whole Foods will unveil a national marketing campaign for the first time in the company’s history, according to Grom. The campaign will include television, internet, mobile, and social ads.

The campaign will “educate consumers on product quality and their options in the marketplace, while also helping to differentiate Whole Foods from some of its competitors,” Grom said.

6. Loyalty Program

Whole Foods is currently testing a loyalty rewards program in New Jersey, with plans to roll out nationally by 2015. The loyalty program is necessary because it could give shoppers an incentive to go to Whole Foods over competitors.

Success does leave clues.  Whole Foods is dynamic not static and will find the all of the six helpful.  However its grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food that will continue to be the main driver of top line sales and bottom line profits.

Outside eyes can deliver top sales and bottom line profits.  Invite www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  to provide brand and product positioning assistance or a grocerant program assessment. Have you completed a Grocerant Scorecard? Contact: 253-759-7869 or Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us