The mojo is back, thanks to the strong start of 365 by WFM.
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One of the things I am enjoying about working for a competitor is that there is no pretense whatsoever. My new employer doesn't act as if they're "changing the world" and there are no regional idiots pointing in different directions depending on what color underwear they chose that day. There are no regional presidents walking around with their noses in the air and all these sycophants and unqualified underlings making it all up as they go along. This company has almost 100 years of experience in logistics and planning. The technology is rock solid, ordering is computer-assisted, doesn't take the whole day and the items we get actually match what's in the catalog. Scales don't get jammed every five minutes or lose connectivity constantly. Prices don't change six times a day. The company actually plans its promotions so we get extra stock automatically of whatever is going on promo. In other words, they're running a business based on logic and forethought not based on hype and faux-hippie ideals that are a total fraud.
Still waiting on those numbers...including the margins on all those freebies and unsustainable deals. Crickets...
Strong start? Where are the numbers?
Hey HLZBRZ1-3gmm: Here's some inside info on Publix: The Greenwise-only stores are doing just fine but they figured out that they could just use a hybrid conventional/natural/organic format that is totally flexible. So the entire store, or half the store, or just a few sets can be Greenwise. Meanwhile I'm trying to see the problem with zero layoffs in 85 years, steady sales growth every year, gradually going into new markets as it makes sense to do so, buying prime locations not old Food Lions with no parking on the outskirts of town, having a consistent approach that works for customers and employees. It's called success. Don't get your butt hurt over it, instead why don't YOU think about changing companies?
3eed, your comment is brilliant! Yes, working for a fast-growing company like Publix, one that is employee-owned, one that hasn't had any layoffs, must be so terrible! Their kind of corporate culture is somehow lower than the p--p we see at WF everyday?
This is genius.
Indeed, many of Whole Foods Market's brightest and best ARE leaving! They see the sinking ship that WFM has become and are being welcomed into better run companies like Publix, Sprouts, Trader Joes, and so on. As for corporate culture, anyone in their right mind with any shred of integrity is relieved when they finally get out from under the rampant cronyism, nepotism and corruption that characterizes Whole Foods. All you who remain, put on your life vests and hold your noses.
Hey 2fie, if you like that Publix so much why don't you go over there and get a job? They may have never had a layoff and be employee-owned and be fast growing and all that, but I could never work for a company with their kind of corporate culture. You, though, are welcome to go!
Hey Winston-Salem, I would not get too excited about your new Publix. They don't don't seem to get our business very well, but it is true that all grocery chains are going to change so they can compete with us better. That is why WFM has been steadily losing its competitive advantage and is no longer way ahead of the rest. Anybody can sell the healthier brands and organic and grass-fed and etc. Publix had big plans down here in Florida for their Greenwise stores (which were trying to be like WFM) and the chatter was the plan was to open 125 of them. It came to a screeching halt after about four stores. They just plain sucked at trying to do exactly what we do.
Publix just opened a 53,600 sq. ft "hybrid" conventional/natural grocery paradise RIGHT across the street from the tiny WFM in Winson-Salem. There's a pharmacy, gourmet wine and cheese, hormone-free beef and chicken, sustainable fresh seafood and organic everything. Even track lighting. There's also a parking deck and signaled entrances in the front and the back and (foreign concept to Whole Foods) TONS of parking. Unfortunately, there is no Starkey Water so it will probably be unsuccessful. HA HA HA.... PS: Employee-owned Publix has NEVER had a layoff and unlike Whole Foods, its stock hit an all time high last year and continues very close to it. Consistent, steady growth and a back bench of 5000 highly qualified managers and execs who can kick asswith their eyes closed. I heard they're ROTFLMAO over WFM's ongoing drama. It's great entertainment. WFM's ridiculous press releases are on the bulletin boards.
When you give away product and offer free samples of everything you can imagine, and have the store like 100% overstaffed...well golly gee, sales are high. Duh. What matters is the long run. Soon enough, all those extra floor helpers and cashiers and all the free stuff and the BOGOs are all GONE. Then TJ's opens across the street and Sprouts opens next door and the mojo gets very limp, very fast. All grocery stocks are up btw...it's the "trend of the month."
As another comment pointed out, NASDAQ and S&P are also all up---so WFM stock being lifted in that rising tide with all the other boats is nothing to brag about.
I also wish whatever Global or Regional troll who posts on here would quit saying "mojo". It's exactly the type of meaningless word a troubled company would use to generate hype in a futile attempt to inspire confidence. Also, by saying the mojo "is back", it is an admission that they lost it! What idiots!
The only strong start of 365 is some positive publicity by those that have been to Silver Lake. We all know that the concept is meant to throw a 'life-line' for WFM. Whether this 'tug-boat is able to salvage the Titanic' is highly questionable. Do not believe Wall Street until you have seen the numbers.
Mojo. Heh. The whole nasdaq index is up. Not impressed.
As for the 365 stores, yeah, they'll do fine. Not because "millennials" will flock to the "innovations in technology" or whatever, but because they are there. Like a gas station on the way home from work. And it'll run like a gas station too! As long as the brilliant conductors running this train don't knock off any more rail cars and Target doesn't start opening small grocers, the little rat nest stores should turn a profit. At least if it doesn't work there will be hardly anyone to fire!
365 will be okay, but what about the legacy stores?