Wal Mart to Double Organic Food Offerings

Reuters ^ | 3/6/06 | Reuters

[Clemenza]

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. aims to be the mass-market provider of organic food, and will have doubled its organic offerings over the next couple of weeks, Wal-Mart's head of dry grocery told Reuters on Monday.

DeDe Priest, who was promoted to senior vice president of dry grocery in December, said the retailer has no intention of becoming a health food store, but wants to make organic food accessible to all.

[Clemenza]

Sorry Wally World, but your current customer base won't buy it, and the Whole Foods crowd already has a discount organic food purveyor in the form of Trader Joes.

The only thing I ever buy at Wal Mart is ammunition. Just run in and get it at the sporting goods counter without having to brave the long lines up front. Its going to take alot of convincing to get me to shove through Big Bertha and a Mexican/Cambodian family reunion, to say nothing of parents beating their children, just to save a dime on organic tomatos.

[MNJohnnie]

Sorry Wal Mart. The only thing that will appease your enemies is if you disappear. They hate Capitalism and you are WAY too successful an example of why Capitalism works.

[FreePaul]

I can't imagine Wal Mart having orgainic food any better than the other organic shops I've been in. I don't shop at the other organic shops so I wouldn't buy Wal Mart organic food. Years ago we bought some things at an organic food shop because it was convenient. We quit because they didn't have much selection, products weren't any better and may not have been as good and the prices were out of line. Maybe they've changed but I won't find out.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Isn't all food organic? What would inorganic food look like? Or taste like?

[Clemenza]

I actually admire Wal Mart, and the fact that it truly is the friend of poor people and working families, even more so than the federal government. Nevertheless, they will not attract the Target/BBB/Trader Joes crowd.

They should continue focusing on their core business model and not make Sears mistake of being all things to all people.

[cripplecreek]

Apparently Wally sees a market that needs to be tapped.

[finnman69]

20lb jars of Tofu?

[sarasota]

The last price (and final price) I paid for four organic tomatoes was $5.

[goldstategop]

Organic food is grown without pesticides, fertilizers and is processed without artificial colors, additives and preservatives. It is certified by the USDA with a green and white Organic Certified label on the product.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Minus_The_Bear]

I agree. Walmart isn't bending to their enemies... it attempting to devour them.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Yup. Knew that. Shoulda included the sarcasm tag.

I would apprecitate it if those speaking about "organic" foods would refer to them properly by calling them "organically grown" foods.

Just a pet peeve.

[goldstategop]

Resistance Is Futile... The Wal-mart Wants You Liberals Inside. (laughing)

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Minn. 4 Bush]

I do eat organic and will go out of my way to buy it at Walmart just as I go out of my way to be everything else there. Target is closer but ever since they kicked out the Salvation Army at Christmas, I no longer support them.

[Petronski]

Crunchy ping #2

[NaughtiusMaximus]

Homer Voice: Mmmmmmmmm, organic!

[scooter2]

What would inorganic food look like? Or taste like?

Ever been to a McDonalds?

[Red Boots]

I actually admire Wal Mart, and the fact that it truly is the friend of poor people and working families, even more so than the federal government. Nevertheless, they will not attract the Target/BBB/Trader Joes crowd.

Maybe in your neck of the woods, but lots of places don't have Trader Joes. I already see a LOT of rich people at the WalMart I shop in...the parking lot is full of their cars... they are the first to know a good deal when they see one, that's how they got to be rich in the first place.

[reformedliberal]

Trader Joe's does not have stores in my area. I am not certain they have stores this far East or in small markets. The nearest Whole Foods, which is not discount, is 90 miles away.


Our regular employee-owned grocery carries organic food, including Amish meats. So, of course, does the organic cooperative, which is having a fit over Walgreen opening a store right next to them because Walgreen carries some of the same supplements/homeopathics/aromatherapy items that are a huge profit center for the coop. Walmart and Sam's Club already have occasional organic offerings. From my observations, the only difference is price and the less affluent who desire organic will buy the same product for less, if possible. The Green ideologues will insist on purchasing from the perceived ideologically pure cooperative The rest don't care.

I see nothing out of line with Walmart adding to its product line in order to garner another point or two of market share. As to the success of failure of the approach: we shall see. Increasing the market and availability of specialty items often lowers the price everywhere.

[formerliberal]

Walmart already stocks a considerable amount of organically grown products (hereinafter called "organic"). Since last June, I have been buying more organic produce, free range eggs and chicken, fruit juices, etc. - and some of it comes from Walmart, although most comes from a health food store. We continue to buy these items because they taste so much better than the conventionally grown items - and we feel better health-wise when we eat organic food. And it's not just me: my kids (who think Reese's cups and frozen waffles are two of the basic food groups) also have remarked on how much better this food tastes.

I remember how horrible the organic stuff tasted in the 1970's, when I first encountered it. It was truly a penance to eat that junk. No more. I would urge everyone to give it a try, and I think you'd be amazed.

I think Walmart is seeing a trend that is manifesting itself among average American families, like mine, and is going to capitalize on it. Even food giants like Hunts now offer organic tomatoes. There seems to be an underlying trend away from processed food and conventional medicine and a reliance on better nutrition and the use of supplements. Walmart is just riding the curve. Just my two cent's worth.

[Waverunner]

Beef Jerky and Slime Jims - aren't they organic?

One of them in your shirt pocket keeps the conversation from going vegan.