Whole Foods needs some educating

[Guest guest]

I posted this earlier today on my group, and am copying it here, since I

know that oils_herbs folks are interested:

 

For the non-US members of the group, Whole Foods is a very pricey

supermarket chain that specializes in products that are not chemical-laden.

It is the largest retailer of natural products in the *world*.

Yes, the hair and skin products have preservatives, but not the harsh

synthetic chems found in mainstream body care stuff. They have an extensive

organic produce, dairy, and meat department. Whole grain cereals and grains

abound, etc.

 

I was searching for something in their hair care department yesterday,and

was really shocked to discover they sell bunky, treacly, low-end perfume

oils. They have several lines -- Auric Blend, Troloika (sp?) another I

can't remember with a really weird fakey Zen name, and some room wick stuff

for room fragrancing. china rain, musk, melon tutti-fruitty abounded. When

I asked one of the sales girls, she defended the " lilac " of one of the

lines with something that sounded like a NP-group defense -- she said that

they used naturals to blend a doppelganger " lilac. "

 

I'm sure the purveyor of that perfume told her that, but the lilac was NOT

from naturals, it was really bunky. They also have a line of garishly-dyed

incense sticks. Banana coconut musk, anyone?! Gak.

 

They used to carry Ecco Bella, a natural perfume line, but it was not at

the Aventura, FL store yesterday, and I'm afraid they may have discontinued it.

 

If there is a Whole Foods store near you, and you, as a natural perfumer

have the inclination, talk with them, and you can fill out a suggestion

card at the front of the store. I did, and asked they reply via phone so I

can have a good chance to speak with them. They said the person who will

call me will report to the regional manager.

 

It is a shame that one of the most visible " faces " for natural products in

this country is uneducated on natural perfumes and is selling cheap, really

cheap, nasty sweet chemical concoctions. It's even worse their customers

don't know the difference.

 

I've followed up with a letter (faxed) to the CEO. Next time you shop in

the store, talk to the manager -- say we're going to contact store managers

and have already contacted John Mackey, CEO about this issue. Try to get

the ridiculousness of them carrying synthetics, and what it could do to

their image if the word got out to the media. Put pressure on.

 

Numbers make a difference. This group and my group have 2000 members,

combined, and I'll bet many of us shop at WF. Let them know that they

should stop carrying cheap synthetic perfumes and incense.

 

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