Whole Foods

[Richard at Remax]

I'm telling you, once the liquor laws change, they will come. Alcohol is a huge profit margin for them and not being able to sell wine and such in thier store is a huge turn off.

[metro]

I don't buy that, there are DFW stores, NY, Philly, Colorado and elsewhere that don't have liquor in their stores. It's population density and income level that retailers look at more than anything. Stats OKC will never achieve until we deannex some land.

[autoMATTic]

I don't buy that, there are DFW stores, NY, Philly and elsewhere that don't have liquor in their stores. It's population density and income level that retailers look at more than anything. Stats OKC will never achieve until we deannex some land.

There are 18 Whole Foods stores in Colorado and their laws prohibit liquor and wine from being sold in grocery stores.

I agree, it is a density and income issue. I would also toss out an education issue.

[okcpulse]

It's population density and income level that retailers look at more than anything. Stats OKC will never achieve until we deannex some land.

OKC's population density is not reflected when a demographic ring study is done. Income level is not a problem, especially now that a snowball effect has kicked off in northwest OKC where high-income people are beginning to concentrate. They will be able to see the population density and income levels of 73162, 73142 and 73134.

Education is also taken into account in a demographic ring study, which again makes nw OKC a perfect candidate for a location.

I think the only REAL hurdle is development. I am not sure of Whole Foods builds their own buildings or if they lease from a retail complex.

[tpm]

just wanted to share some information i put together for a project.

[betts]

just wanted to share some information i put together for a project.

But again, that data doesn't look at cost of living at all. I remember prior to the Sonics moving here, I kept hearing that OKC was too poor to support a team. So, for fun, I looked at average income and average household income in Seattle versus Oklahoma City. Then I looked at the median cost of a house in both places, and calculated insurance and property tax costs, as well as mortgage costs. What I found was that my rather crude estimate of disposable incomes in both cities showed it was remarkably similar. Although income was significantly higher in Seattle, home costs were about 3x what they are here, which increases insurance and property tax costs. That's what I don't think retailers look at when determining where to locate stores.

[LakeEffect]

I don't buy that, there are DFW stores, NY, Philly, Colorado and elsewhere that don't have liquor in their stores. It's population density and income level that retailers look at more than anything. Stats OKC will never achieve until we deannex some land.

I've seen GIS-assisted demos of how grocery stores locate. The analysis is much more in-depth than pure density and income city-wide.

They analyze locations of competing stores, income levels at the Census block/tract or zip code level, buying habits based on consumer research, etc. All of that data is available from 3rd party analysts in neat packages. Large chains, probably even smaller, regional chains as well, use this data all the time to research new corporate or franchise locations.

I've been researching things like this for other work reasons lately, and I'd bet we meet the qualifications (as others have noted) in the Classen Curve area...

[Steve]

No offense, but this topic is beginning to bore me. This Whole Foods store may be one of the worst kept secrets in town ... I hear some PR people may be too clever for their own good.

[soonerguru]

Steve,

Can you actually confirm that this is indeed happening?

[okcpulse]

just wanted to share some information i put together for a project.

How recent is your data? You may also want to keep in mind you are comparing OKC to well established, larger markets with a long history of corporate residents. OKC has been making some serious inroads since 2001. Heck, look at the per capita income of OKC in those days compared to 2008.

[betts]

They're hard at work tearing down the building adjacent to the recently demolished Hahn-Cook building. There's a lot of land in that block and it all belongs to Aubrey.

[Dustin]

I say we follow them on twitter and bombard them with OKC requests!!!

[metro]

I've seen GIS-assisted demos of how grocery stores locate. The analysis is much more in-depth than pure density and income city-wide.

They analyze locations of competing stores, income levels at the Census block/tract or zip code level, buying habits based on consumer research, etc. All of that data is available from 3rd party analysts in neat packages. Large chains, probably even smaller, regional chains as well, use this data all the time to research new corporate or franchise locations.

I've been researching things like this for other work reasons lately, and I'd bet we meet the qualifications (as others have noted) in the Classen Curve area...

I'm aware of that but was trying to keep it basic as not to bore experts like Steve. I do Marketing & PR for a good sized regional company that adds locations frequently, I'm quite aware of the thought process that goes into it, but yes you are correct, traffic counts, buying patterns, competitors (although some companies look at it from opposite spectrums, ie Walgreens/CVS), the list goes on. I'm anxious for the 2010 data to be calculated, but that probably won't be released until 2011 or 2012.

I say we follow them on twitter and bombard them with OKC requests!!!

Agreed. I've been doing it regularly and encouraging my followers to RT. The other day I tweeted a link to the article about OKC being the #2 Metro in the U.S. with the highest level of income increase. Bombard them with social media until they make an official announcement. Believe it or not, but there is power in this and does put pressure on retailers to deliver some sort of statement.

[Steve]

Steve,

Can you actually confirm that this is indeed happening?

Several very good sources have told me and others it is happening. But neither Whole Foods or Chesapeake are willing yet to comment. So I'll leave it to each of you to make your own conclusions.

[bluedogok]

I'm in Denver all week. As Lord Helmet pointed out, there are 3 frickin' Whole Foods in about a 10 mile radius, about 7 total throughout the metro area (not counting the 4 in Boulder that I saw). Boulder is tiny! 4???? Absolutely ludicrous. I know I know, everyone up there is granola, yada yada. Just went food shopping, I'm eating well this week :-)

Why lord, why why why????? Just ONE in OKC. One! We don't ask for much. <points angry fists at sky>

Some of the locations in Denver and I think all of them in Boulder were part of the Wild Oat's chain that Whole Foods acquired, just like the Tulsa WF location. Wild Oat's was based in Boulder. We only have two Whole Foods in Austin (Downtown and North Austin) and this is their HQ city.

[LakeEffect]

I'm aware of that but was trying to keep it basic as not to bore experts like Steve. I do Marketing & PR for a good sized regional company that adds locations frequently, I'm quite aware of the thought process that goes into it, but yes you are correct, traffic counts, buying patterns, competitors (although some companies look at it from opposite spectrums, ie Walgreens/CVS), the list goes on. I'm anxious for the 2010 data to be calculated, but that probably won't be released until 2011 or 2012.

But doing so made your argument invalid...

[theparkman81]

I check their website, and I think we are the only city in the country, that doesn't have one, and I think it a ashamed that Whole Foods haven't come here.

[metro]

But doing so made your argument invalid...

how so?

[smooth]

I check their website, and I think we are the only city in the country, that doesn't have one, and I think it a ashamed that Whole Foods haven't come here.

I seriously doubt out of thousands of cities, Oklahoma City is the only city without Whole Foods. A lot of cities are smart in not wanting a high priced liberal infested waste of money like Whole Foods.

[metro]

liberal infested? I know plenty of "conservatives" who shop at Whole Foods, myself included. That was the most off the wall comment about this topic yet. Congrats "smooth".

[FritterGirl]

I seriously doubt out of thousands of cities, Oklahoma City is the only city without Whole Foods. A lot of cities are smart in not wanting a high priced liberal infested waste of money like Whole Foods.

Then please, stick with Wal-Mart. Whole Foods and its "liberal" selection of imported cheeses, artisan hand-made bakery goods, organic meats and vegetables, and other high quality specialty items are obviously not good enough for you.

[smooth]

Then please, stick with Wal-Mart. Whole Foods and its "liberal" selection of imported cheeses, artisan hand-made bakery goods, organic meats and vegetables, and other high quality specialty items are obviously not good enough for you.

"Organic"= liberal. Plus, I would rather have food treated for pests than to have pests in my food.

"Imported cheese"= liberal. They waste money depriving HONEST Americans of jobs.

"Artisan"= Liberal.

Your idea of "high quality" is what I call a waste of money. I can buy merchant brand labels and it's the same food as YOU call "high quality." It is still grown in the ground or raised on a Cattle Ranch.

I'll stick to where I currently shop... And no one mentioned Wal-Mart.. Just you.

[metro]

You do realize places like Whole Foods sell more items from LOCAL farmers and Stateside companies made in the good ole USA. They are all about getting local suppliers whenever possible. Very little organic food if any is made overseas. Especially since the U.S. has high standards before a food can be certified organic? Domestic farmers are the ones who pay for these investments to reach "organic" certification. Your Walmart et all is the one who gets cheap processed stuff from overseas.

[Midtowner]

Give me some of that liberal fare any day.

Sure tastes a helluva lot better than cancer-causing, DNA-corrupting, chemical doused, inhumanely raised and slaughtered, highly processed, artificial and preserved "food."

[FritterGirl]

"Organic"= liberal. Plus, I would rather have food treated for pests than to have pests in my food.

"Imported cheese"= liberal. They waste money depriving HONEST Americans of jobs.

"Artisan"= Liberal.

Your idea of "high quality" is what I call a waste of money. I can buy merchant brand labels and it's the same food as YOU call "high quality." It is still grown in the ground or raised on a Cattle Ranch.

I'll stick to where I currently shop... And no one mentioned Wal-Mart.. Just you.

Then by all means, exert your DEMOCRATIC right and DON'T SHOP THERE. I'll glady give them my "liberal" money, liberally, and eat their locally or regionally-grown pesticide- and chemical-free foods.