Apparently, there are a couple of things going on with Whole Foods’ new store on the old Minyard’s site, and I have phone calls out to find out exactly what’s what. From what I’m being told, the store won’t open until late summer or early fall of 2008. (Note to competition: Now’s your chance to scoop me.)
Until then, here are two things to ponder:
• Whole Foods is furious with the Federal Trade Commission for threatening to block its takeover of competitor Wild Oats. This does seem odd, given that the current regulatory climate in Washington favors all mergers and buyouts, regardless of consequences (see the TXU deal). But Whole Foods CEO John Mackey, according to the FTC, has crossed whatever line still exists by saying that a buyout would "eliminate forever" the possibility that anyone else could create a nationwide competitor in the natural and organic grocery business. Whole Foods’ take? Mackey (who has his own blog) was misquoted.
• If and when the new store opens, we could get a revolutionary checkout system. The New York Times reports (complete with diagram) that the Whole Foods Manhattan store uses a bank-style line that is faster than traditional grocery store lines.
