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The poppy tradition is virtually non-existent in the US and everything down there seems to be a 'cause'.

I agree that it was astonishingly tone-deaf, but I'm not sure legislative action is the best response (although, as mentioned, great politics). I recall past years have seen Tim Horton's and Burger King and perhaps others committing that same corporate - or at least franchise-level - 'hari kari' which were quickly reversed. The government should simply condemn and let the marketplace mete out the punishment.

It seems every now and again some corporate weenie pushes their self-destruct button just to see what happens.
 
PinkLucy said:
Approved south of the border I assume without checking with an actual Canadian.
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Last I checked, Whole Foods in Ontario is run out of Chicago (Mid-West region); Whole Foods in BC is run out of Washington State.

This is likely a national U.S. policy, and with their being no 'Canadian Region' there wasn't anyone at the table to say....."uhhh.....but"

Yup:

1604705344260.png

From: https://medium.com/@podfoodsco/what-you-need-to-know-before-pitching-to-whole-foods-18b57882b489

The chain here was much better before Chicago noticed it had stores here.

It only noticed when the profit made at Yorkville and Oakville was.........helpful in the light of the financial crisis.

Until then, those 2 stores had largely done their own thing.

Sadly, the chain here is now a shadow of its former self.

PS, I'm amused that Alberta has a spot on their map; there are no stores there.

They were going to add them, but then nixed them when oil crashed.
 
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Northern Light said:
Expect news from Whole Foods Canada soon.

No, they are not retreating.
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I visited the Square One location, my first ever Whole Foods visit, last year. Overall, it was pleasant, with a very good hot bar and staff who went out of their way to be friendly. However, in speaking to a coworker who is a regular, he said he's experienced a recent dip in quality in the prepared food, as well as noticeably fewer staff in the aisles.
 
christiesplits said:
I visited the Square One location, my first ever Whole Foods visit, last year. Overall, it was pleasant, with a very good hot bar and staff who went out of their way to be friendly. However, in speaking to a coworker who is a regular, he said he's experienced a recent dip in quality in the prepared food, as well as noticeably fewer staff in the aisles.
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WF is not what it was.

Far less stuff is made in house, much more is third party commissary. Self-checkouts are a thing, there is a bit less aspiration with a sharper Amazon pencil working the books.
 
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Bayer said:
Zero chance of going back there as long as it belongs to Amazon.
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I walked through in the fall.......its not that there isn't any good, or ethically sourced product.....there is.......

But it doesn't feel as it once did,

It doesn't feel like a passion project trying to achieve something. It doesn't feel like a company trying to raise the bar on food quality and animal welfare.

If feels like a company that knows its brand is about those things and will hold on to good sellers, and even take a flyer on something new that fits.

But it no longer feels like an active passion..............it feels like boxes checked.

I wouldn't rule out buying something there............but its not a place I regularly frequent anymore, where I was once a twice monthly shopper.

I'm now a twice yearly shopper......

Sigh.
 
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Canadagoose12 said:
https://www.reddit.com/r/wholefoods/comments/1mqvld4/whole_foods_is_closing_my_store_in_4_days_we_just

Looks like they are retreating.
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Northern Light said:
I was certainly being give a different take..............so colour me surprised. I'll see what I can dig up, if anything.
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Quite surprising. I've been to the Square One location a few times and it still seems busy. Mind you, I'm always there on weekends.

Two possible theories: Sluggish economy meaning consumers are looking for more affordable options? Or, new players like Eataly and Summerhill Market are poaching customers?
 
christiesplits said:
Quite surprising. I've been to the Square One location a few times and it still seems busy. Mind you, I'm always there on weekends.

Two possible theories: Sluggish economy meaning consumers are looking for more affordable options? Or, new players like Eataly and Summerhill Market are poaching customers?
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I have no idea about the Toronto market. I am located near Ottawa, ON. I make the trip there once a month. Adding to the theories:
- American-based company Amazon hurting the name
- Supply chain and sourcing issues; heavy reliance importing goods from the US; Ex. lots of their 365 products are just from the USA shelves with a new label. Lots of items at our location disappear for months and come back again. Luckily, they do have a lot of local brands (mainly Ontario-based companies) on their shelves.
 
Canadagoose12 said:
I have no idea about the Toronto market. I am located near Ottawa, ON. I make the trip there once a month. Adding to the theories:
- American-based company Amazon hurting the name
- Supply chain and sourcing issues; heavy reliance importing goods from the US; Ex. lots of their 365 products are just from the USA shelves with a new label. Lots of items at our location disappear for months and come back again. Luckily, they do have a lot of local brands (mainly Ontario-based companies) on their shelves.
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I've said this privately, and I don't mind saying it publicly. When the Ontario stores lost local autonomy (a long time ago now), quality suffered, and has only gotten worse.

Any number of products you get in the ready-to-go section, or the hot tables that used to be made in-house at the store level is now third-party commissary. It shows.

When Ontario was two stores, just Yorkville and Oakville they were the most profitable pair in the chain for a period of time.

After fall under corporate, first the midwest regional section then 'International' they just lost their mojo.

Despite all that, Yorkville definitely does very good numbers still.

I can't speak to the other two in detail.

Though I have never liked the Bayview/Eg location. Right area, but wrong building, and bad interior design/layout.
 
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