More on Whole Foods Plastic Bags
Returning to the news Whole Foods has earmarked a date for the phasing out of plastic bags: Earth Day 2008.
From tea to ant traps my father is a life-long supplier to the grocery industry and he wonders if I “…think they are eliminating plastic bags to save money…or to save the world?”
Personally I think they are eliminating them because John MacKey is no idealistic hippie. He knows that by eliminating plastic bags it further enhances the public image of Whole Foods in a way that furthers their customers attachment to the store while at the same time reducing overhead.
Certainly I have no hard data, but I would suspect a large number of Whole Foods regulars are so because of the image the store represents rather than just the quality of the products lying within.
To put it another way, Whole Foods is the Apple of the grocery industry doing as much (or more) to push their image as they do to sell a quality product.
And yes, I do shop there. Go buy some awesome reusable bags why don’t you.
8 Responses to “More on Whole Foods Plastic Bags”
…they were giving away the nice “whole foods” bags yesterday at wild oats. Oh, the irony of corporate america.
By aaron williams on Jan 23, 2008
Well, considering that Whole Foods bought out Wild Oats … it’s not that ironic.
Just sad. I loved Wild Oats. Whole Foods, notsomuch.
By lisa on Jan 23, 2008
Although Whole Foods employees often have an “I’m so cool that I work here” vibe, I find them more pleasant than the “tortured soul” vibe at Wild Oats.
Wild Oats is kind of gloomy.
By bb on Jan 23, 2008
I’m going to keep asking this question until I get an answer. Why do I get 10 cents off if I bring in a bag, but not 10 cents off if I just decide to carry the item out? Seems like my method is even more Earth Friendly.
By Mike Sweeney on Jan 23, 2008
Have you asked? Maybe they just don’t like you.
By bb on Jan 23, 2008
Why ask when I can just bring it up on your blog each time you bring the topic of Whole Foods up?
By Mike Sweeney on Jan 23, 2008
Mike, you should try this. It has Curb Your Enthusiasm-style hijinks written all over it.
By Ian Froeb on Jan 23, 2008
Whole Foods is a smart company because it’s good for the environment and it’s good for advertising. Any reusable bag is a good thing as far as I’m concerned, but if you prefer one that doesn’t advertise where you shop, check out http://www.minusbags.com. Very stylish and made in the US, too!
By mb on Jan 23, 2008