Will Whole Foods' New Buying Strategy Make It Harder For Food Startups To Launch?
Getting on to shelves in one of Whole Foods regional markets used to be a tried and true path for sustainable food company's success. Now the company is switching to a more centralized model, which it says will streamline the process. But it might also stifle small businesses and local innovation.
Getting on to shelves in one of Whole Foods regional markets used to be a tried and true path for sustainable food company's success. Now the company is switching to a more centralized model, which it says will streamline the process. But it might also stifle small businesses and local innovation.
When an organic kids' snack food company called Little Duck Organics launched, it followed the trajectory that many brands in the natural food industry have taken: get into Whole Foods regionally, get wider distribution because of the success of that relationship, and then quickly grow.