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WARREN BUFFETT: 'I don't see smiles on the faces of people at Whole Foods'
Yahoo Finance ^ | May 6,2015 | Rick Wilking/

Posted on 05/07/2015 4:36:26 AM PDT by Hojczyk

Whole Foods shares are getting crushed after earnings. The company reported record second quarter sales that still were below investors' expectations, and shares were down as much as 10% in after hours trade on Wednesday.

This past weekend at the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders' meeting this past weekend, CEO Warren Buffett singled out the company, saying that that the customers there simply don't seem like a happy bunch.

Here's some more color on what Buffett said, according to Time:

"Food and beverage companies will adjust to the expressed preferences of consumers. No company does well ignoring its consumers.

"It’s amazing how durable [consumer brands are]. Berkshire Hathaway was the largest shareholder of General Foods from 1981 to 1984 — that’s 30-plus years ago. It was bought by Philip Morris and spun out as Kraft. Those same brands are popular today. Heinz goes back to 1869. The ketchup came out in the 1870s. Coca-Cola dates to 1886. It’s a pretty good bet that a lot of people will like the same things."

Whole Foods is popular for its fresh and organic food options.

But Buffett is unapologetic for his junk food habits and the amount of coke he drinks.

He recently added Kraft Foods to his portfolio, the maker of Velveeta cheese, Oreos, and others.

And as his vice chairman and long time business partner Charlie Munger quipped: "Sugar is an enormously helpful substance. It prevents premature softening of the arteries."

In response to questions about holding investments in companies that make foods high in sugar (like Coca-Cola,) while consumers' diets shift towards healthier options, Buffett said (via Bloomberg): "I don’t see smiles on the faces of people at Whole Foods."

(Excerpt) Read more at finance.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: berkshirehathaway; charliemunger; kraftfoods; oreos; velveeta; warrenbuffett; wholefoods
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To: wita

I guess you need a link? Maybe create a little IP trail?


61 posted on 05/07/2015 6:36:33 AM PDT by Mamzelle
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To: struggle

Bravo....!

Concise and honest...!!!


62 posted on 05/07/2015 6:37:13 AM PDT by gaijin
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To: wita

Gee. I can find “1.2 billion dollars for abortion” without much sweat. But I might be smarter than Buffett’s flunkies and trolls.


63 posted on 05/07/2015 6:38:27 AM PDT by Mamzelle
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To: Reno89519
Be sure to take your assorted “medications” with that twinkie. If you are over 50 and have insurance i would bet you are on several daily pills. Keep eating whatever monsanto and general mills feeds you and you will be sick.Exercise is important but you cant run from a bad diet.
64 posted on 05/07/2015 6:58:49 AM PDT by Awgie (truth is always stranger than fiction)
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To: txrefugee

“What do Leftists have to look forward to?”

Hell.

As such, they may as well have that Coke.


65 posted on 05/07/2015 7:01:36 AM PDT by RinaseaofDs
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To: wita
And his secretary pays less in taxes, too. Why don't you pull your head out of the sand and read up on your boy. He's a crook.

Ever heard of CDOs and MBSs? Ever wonder how these "securities" were rated up AAA to create the crisis? It couldn't have been that Warren Buffett, the billionaire chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and Moody Corp’s largest shareholder had something to do with it?

Heard of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices ?

66 posted on 05/07/2015 7:27:50 AM PDT by antidisestablishment (#Draw, Mohammed!)
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To: cripplecreek

Organically grown has come to have the meaning that only natural fertilizers come in contact with your food. The real meaning of natural and organic is how many illegal farm workers crapped on your beans while working the fields.


67 posted on 05/07/2015 7:28:54 AM PDT by RJS1950 (The democrats are the "enemies foreign and domestic" cited in the federal oath)
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To: Bogey78O

Too many “conservatives” buy his schtick about being a good investor, as well. Disgusting crony bastards...


68 posted on 05/07/2015 7:30:18 AM PDT by antidisestablishment (#Draw, Mohammed!)
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To: Hojczyk

What is Buffet...near 90? And he’s eaten tons of “junk” food in that time. Eating junk food has clearly hurt his longevity. (snicker)


69 posted on 05/07/2015 7:34:37 AM PDT by driftless2
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To: Mamzelle

I am not a fan of Buffett. I read somewhere that he is the “man” behind the curtain of the NWO. Whether that is true or not, his support for Obama and his love fest for Hillary is enough to turn me off. He actually said the other day that nothing Hillary does (or has done) would change his glowing opinion of her. He intends to be one of her big money supporters, and he will expect more federal money in return. I wish I had bought his stock, because who doesn’t like making money, but he is a vulture capitalist. He actually likes to see the economy in crisis as he can lend money to companies at outrageous interest rates and then sweep in and acquire the companies on the cheap. He’s not a sweet old Grandpa.


70 posted on 05/07/2015 7:39:05 AM PDT by burghguy
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To: Mamzelle

Buffett is basically buying stock in “comfort foods” which in times of prolonged economic depression do quite well ad people find comfort in cheap food....


71 posted on 05/07/2015 8:25:30 AM PDT by GraceG (Protect the Border from Illegal Aliens, Don't Protect Illegal Alien Boarders...)
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To: miss marmelstein

[ If there’s an Indian grocer near your home, skip Whole Paycheck and shop there. They have all of that (including the best basmati) and the prices are as Crazy Eddie used to say: INSANE!!! ]

Some of the Korean and Asian supermarkets are awesome and they have some cool foods you can;t normally get at regular stores.

Natto is delicious, well at least I find it delicious.


72 posted on 05/07/2015 8:28:08 AM PDT by GraceG (Protect the Border from Illegal Aliens, Don't Protect Illegal Alien Boarders...)
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To: Hojczyk

hey warren....pay your back taxes


73 posted on 05/07/2015 9:43:25 AM PDT by zzwhale
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To: Hojczyk

“Sugar is an enormously helpful substance. It prevents premature softening of the arteries.”

Now there is someone with a sense of humor.


74 posted on 05/07/2015 9:48:31 AM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: Hojczyk

I was at a Whole Foods this past weekend. Many guys in grungy clothes/shorts and sandals a few ponytails. I saw 3 women with big tattoos. I also saw one them dancing to the music playing over the loudspeaker. It is I guess a groovy place.


75 posted on 05/07/2015 11:29:48 AM PDT by minnesota_bound
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; ...
What's *really* behind this: Zerocare: more from the FRchives:
76 posted on 05/07/2015 11:41:39 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (What do we want? REGIME CHANGE! When do we want it? NOW!)
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To: lormand

‘_______afraid of hepatitis, so the less contact_________’

Understandable.


77 posted on 05/08/2015 1:19:28 AM PDT by USARightSide (S U P P O R T I N G OUR T R O O P S)
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To: knittnmom

‘I think you meant to type “liable”___________’
Right you are - LOL - thanks!
When composing email to my family - and others, too - you have no idea how I edit and edit to make sure I’m saying what I mean, and to check spellings, also.
That one got by me - - - some occasionally do. . .


78 posted on 05/08/2015 1:39:12 AM PDT by USARightSide (S U P P O R T I N G OUR T R O O P S)
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To: minnesota_bound

‘__________in grungy clothes/shorts and sandals and a few ponytails.’

Wonder if Whole Foods was always like this. Why do they allow such unkempt-looking employees? Some here on FR will probably say ‘they are sporting the ‘natural/nature’ look.’
I’m thinking Whole Foods employees are dressing somewhat like the culture of the time, and tweaking it. If I could possibly remember what the culture was a few years ago, and did employees dress like that then - ?
At the moment, I detest that stupid slouched-looking hat worn by some, including some Whole Foods employees.
Unkempt-looking employees don’t assure the customers that the grocery items are ‘clean.’
And yes, there are some tidy-looking employees. Too bad they aren’t emulated.


79 posted on 05/08/2015 2:09:48 AM PDT by USARightSide (S U P P O R T I N G OUR T R O O P S)
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To: wita

Simply research keyword BuffettFoundation.


80 posted on 12/03/2023 9:22:29 PM PST by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
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