I’ve heard Whole Foods referred to as “Whole Paycheck”, so how is 365 price-wise?

I've heard or read somewhere the plan to compete with TJ's and other similar shopping stops in hopes to grab the millennial attention did not work out as planned.

Might just be way to robotic/slick/sterile. At least that is the opinion of my coworkers in the 25-30 age group. "I'll cut my own fruit, thank you". Probably doesn't help that the recent spinach recall has added more pre-packaged salads, sandwiches, etc to the list of about 50 now. (East coast only... the spinach was grown in Florida)

In fact I don't think any age group likes to be told how to shop.

What seems to be most common now is the bulk of the shopping cart is ordered on-line and delivered. Treats and specialty items are a TJ stop and multiple mom and pop shops...fresh fruits and veg are abundant and chosen in person. A-la-carte whole fresh preferred. And by the pound. Not packaged or pre-chopped.

Heck, I've never even heard of it. And since there isn't even a Whole Foods in Grand Rapids, the closest one is two hours away in Lansing, I probably won't have the opportunity to check it out any time soon.

So, it sounds kind of like one of those convenience stores, with the addition of a nice produce area?

Annie

I've shopped at the conventional Whole Foods (yes, Whole Paycheck is what it's been called) on occasion. Its prepared foods are always really interesting combinations that I take note of and try out later myself. But I don't shop there regularly simply because I have better options nearby.

WF used to be the only game in town for organic food and that was their niche. Now, at least by me, our regular stores have plentiful options for healthy and organic food and competitive pricing.

It will be interesting to see if the 365 stores succeed. We don't have one near us and this is the first I've heard of them.

We're in Southern CA which is peppered with TJ's. We have Aldi close by...two of them just a few miles away. Whole Foods, on the other hand, has never been geographically convenient. Interesting to see what happens with 365.

Annie, '365' is WholeFoods store brand. I'm guessing if you are loyalty to a specific store, you might grab their brand over others on the shelf...often a bit cheaper than others on the same shelf.

WholeFoods is in a hot mess. (or maybe not). A bit late to the party in competing with others. Don't get me wrong as I was hoping the 365 would succeed. We have room for smaller stores with a fresh whole food approach. In and out quickly with just a bag or two. A well stocked pantry and freezer just needs some weekly 'fresh'. And open bins. For example I may want asparagus super fresh but just for one meal, not an entire bunch for 6-8. Trying to add it to meals all week...the rest composted.

I don't shop WholeFood but 2-3 times a year when I'm in a hotel or one is right in front of my face in the city. The BryantPark one is nuts...the one in Conn is fantastic.

One on longIsland NY is odd and cluttered. Tight isles and packed. High income area so a bit surprised the tiny location. Alway no mater what I get sticker shock every time.

My local NY institution Fairway I say every checkout, "wow, all this for that!" $ , so cheap.

My parents tiny town FoodLion has just as good fresh produce than any WholeFoods in my area.

You are not missing anything Annie.

TJ's is fun and full of surprises. A much better experience.

365 has already been announced it is over, done. They may keep open the 'trial' dozen stores but any plans for future outlets is over.

That's interesting, sleevendog. I guess that settles that!

Well, that figures, out of business before I even figure out what it is, LOL.

Annie

I've never heard of it either, but since we have a few Whole Foods locations here, I googled it. Turns out there's one less than 10 minutes from my office. I don't think it started out as a "365" as it's been there for years.

I think I'll go check it out tomorrow at lunch time!

Funny. about it being over. The one I went to was newish. Like within the last year, if I remember correctly. It's in a new center and I think it was still behind construction fences last time I was in the area. There are a good TJ's and a local full sized grocery with the same basic mission as Whole Foods a bit of a drive from there, but big chain groceries with sad food, mostly, in the area. There were a lot of people shopping there, mostly fairly young. It may be succeeding from lack of competition. It is something like a convenience store, but nothing like a convenience store. It wasn't set up for high volume, and had much wider variety than a convenience store.

There's an Amazon grocery or some such thing in Seattle. I saw a report about it. It has similar grab and go kinds of things, with sensors and cameras. You use an app to identify yourself, choose your items (there are staff for helping people, stocking, and restricting alcohol sales to adults), and walk out. The monitors figure out what you bought. I wonder if the 365 stores will go automated or if the automated stores are just there to see if they could do it.

I think it might have been on the expensive side, but I also was buying expensive items.

The nearest Whole Foods 365 store to me is in Santa Monica, and there are several regular Whole Foods stores closer to me than that, but I don't go to them unless I happen to be passing by them doing something else. The 365 store is just down the street (Pico Blvd) from the Marukai Market in WLA that I go to, and so I might check it out the next time I go to Marukai. It looks like they have ample parking, which is often a concern in Santa Monica. I used to go to Mitsuwa Market in Mar Vista, which is even closer to me, but it's next to impossible to park there, and Marukai is a much bigger store.

I've been to the Santa Monica store a few times, mostly for a 365 brand marinated raw packaged chicken breast that DH really likes. They were selling them at Whole Foods, however once the 365 stores began to appear, they pulled them and made them only available at 365. I've stocked up and will likely visit there on Saturday since I'll be nearby. IMHO they're nicer than Aldi's, but not somewhere I'd shop regularly.