Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Stretching your food dollar at Whole Foods

Food prices are on their way to posting their biggest increase in nearly 20 years and it’s not just the average consumer who is feeling the pain.

Whole Foods Markets Inc, the upscale supermarket chain known for selling natural and organic food to an affluent clientele, has rolled out programs to show consumers how to budget shop at its stores.

The chain — referred to by some as “Whole Paycheck” — has “value gurus” who take customers on a tour around the stores and show them how to get the best deals. It is highlighting its 365 private label brand, weekly promotions and other deals. And, it has launched “The Whole Deal,” a site that invites shoppers to share their money-saving tips.

Grocery stores have seen margins pressured as consumers pull back on certain organic food, switch to store brands from national brands and cook more meals at home rather than buying prepared food.

Source: Lisa Baertlein
http://blogs.reuters.com/shop-talk/

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