Thoughts on Whole Foods in London

I am a pretty regular shopper at Whole Foods in London. The place makes me feel like I'm back in the States. There is something hugely comforting about the size of the store, all my favorite brands and the American staff. But for some reason the store doesn't seem to be doing well here. This is based on my observation that during the week the place is dead. I was there last night from 6-7pm, key shopping time, and there were very few shoppers and even fewer people at the tills. I've put some thought into it and here are possible reasons.

1. You can get healthy, organic, top-quality foods at almost any grocer in the UK.
2. People are not fashion conscious about where they shop - that's a big deal with Whole Foods shoppers in the States. Food is not a lifestyle here. Shopping at Whole Foods in the States is a statement about your politics, income and where you live.
4. Too expensive! Cheese and dairy products are cheap in the UK because of European Union farmers' subsidies. Why the heck are the prices triple at Whole Foods?
5. People aren't foodies. You buy your food, you cook it, you eat it. You don't talk about it, obsess over it, create weird allergies around it (although mine are real).
6. The store is overwhelming. Most grocery stores don't offer this kind of choice in the UK or probably Europe at large. People are overwhelmed.

It is a super store and I love going there - even if I forgot to use my discount coupon today - people just don't use coupons here - perhaps I'm becoming European in my shopping? Nah, a European wouldn't have written this post.

Counter to my assumption there is an article in the 2 December 2007 Austin-American Statesman that says the store is doing well.
Signs seem to show that Whole Foods is preparing for second London store

Fear of Heights

It doesn't happen too often but when it does my fear of heights puts a damper on whatever fun we are having. The fear has been there for a long time but the intensity comes in waves and they seem to be getting worse. In recent years it hit hard in San Francisco when I was riding my bike across the Golden Gate Bridge and also driving my car up those curvy hills. I felt like I was attached to the bike or the car and it was going to flip over.

Last year there were two occasions when I became the "crazy women we saw while we were on holiday in Europe" on the London Eye and the Eiffel Tower. Tonight it happened again. We went to the Royal Albert Hall to see the Blackrock Masters Tennis and our seats were against the back wall on the top row. I could only imagine that either the ceiling was going to come down on me or I was going to suddenly fly out from the wall and fall. Not logical, I realise that.

The super weird thing is that we were one section higher a few weeks ago when we went to see Carmina Burana. I think the difference there was that the ceiling was quite close in the balcony - not the dome part but the side of the building. Plus, there was a railing all around the edge and we were sitting on the floor (cheap seats). Tonight I had to scoot past folks, including my friend Hidy was also freaking out about the height. Then I walked on my knees to the stairs and walked down on my rear. Believe me, it was embarrassing, especially when someone said, "Amy, do you have vertigo?" Blah.

I've got to get over this and am going to try getting help. Perhaps hypnotherapy? I'm not sure. I've made a promise to myself that tomorrow I will make an appointment at a therapist my friend has recommended.

The part that really breaks my heart is poor Stephen who really feels for me and wants me to enjoy what we are doing and instead we are both distracted by my anxiety attack. I feel much better after going to Whole Foods, buying Indian food and eating rice pudding.

Whole Foods New Business Paradigm

Whole Foods opened a London mega store two weeks ago in South Kensington, just a 20 minute walk from our flat. The place is HUGE and some have said soulless, although with all the customers packed in it is quite soul-full. Stephen compares the experience to his first US visit to Ikea. People stare open mouthed at all the products.

Bulk foods seems to be a new phenomenon requiring a black board with instructions. Some differences to the US Whole Foods - an egg section, unrefrigerated, that includes quail and ostridge eggs, a muesli bar and an entire cheese room.

I've been there twice and will classify the experience as a food field trip. Stephen and I went to compare it to the US stores - filled with Americans. The second visit was with my friend Shelley who, like me, has some food choice "issues" meaning that it is a real challenge eating out with us.

Both times I arrived at the end of my shopping to face the world's longest check out line. With just a few items in my hands I've wondered if I should just plop them down and walk away. In fact, the lines are speedy. Today's New York Times has an article about Whole Foods mastery of the check out line. Apparently one long line moves more quickly then having many short lines in front of each checkout.

Here's an interesting blog posting and illustration about the Whole Foods New Business Paradigm (scroll down interview post). Mission, vision and core values are more important than making money.