Whole Foods first UK store has opened to a fanfare of publicity in London's Kensington, and it seems the US-based organic and ethical foods retailer has now set its sights on wider European expansion. The company has ambitiously stated that it would like to see the Whole Foods empire established across Europe much as it has been in America with 300 US stores targeted by 2010. Me thinks as delightful as the prospect of ethical food shopping is, that perhaps the cultural and geographic differences in Europe will be quite a challenge for Whole Foods. Most of Europe’s leading retailers if not already doing so are now looking at offering Fair Trade and Organic Foods. Whole Foods with its reputation for expensive produce may struggle to build customer loyalty in this neck of the woods. Meanwhile ethical consumerism is no longer a fad, it’s here to stay, so let the battle commence and bring on the big boys.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Whole Foods Hits Europe
Whole Foods first UK store has opened to a fanfare of publicity in London's Kensington, and it seems the US-based organic and ethical foods retailer has now set its sights on wider European expansion. The company has ambitiously stated that it would like to see the Whole Foods empire established across Europe much as it has been in America with 300 US stores targeted by 2010. Me thinks as delightful as the prospect of ethical food shopping is, that perhaps the cultural and geographic differences in Europe will be quite a challenge for Whole Foods. Most of Europe’s leading retailers if not already doing so are now looking at offering Fair Trade and Organic Foods. Whole Foods with its reputation for expensive produce may struggle to build customer loyalty in this neck of the woods. Meanwhile ethical consumerism is no longer a fad, it’s here to stay, so let the battle commence and bring on the big boys.
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