STORES Magazine - April 2008 - (Page 33)

mental movement platform. “That was a youth movement,” Christie says. “Now it’s backed by [Baby] Boomer money and the disposable income to buy things like local artisan breads and foods that are perceived as healthier and having less impact on the environment.” The locavore movement focuses on sustainability and “food miles” (the distance foods travel from farm-to-plate or farmto-market) — issues fervently supported by environmentalists, who argue that the carbon footprint of local products is far lower than for those transported cross-country or around the world. Furthermore, the publicity surrounding last year’s recall of leafy greens increased demand for local produce which — accurately or not — were viewed as being safer. On the other hand, consumer demand for a burgeoning variety of produce — the “global palette” — has some industry observers wondering whether local dining is just another fad, a sustainable trend or a niche market that is unlikely to gain mass appeal. Nonetheless, many retailers that have been stocking local produce and other items are taking the latest trend seriously and recommitting their stores to featuring locally produced goods. In the United States, chains like Wegmans, Giant Foods, Publix, Byerly’s and Lunds, as well as supermarkets close to the fertile fields of California’s Central Valley, have long promoted local foods. Meanwhile, smaller retailers like Urban Rustic in Brooklyn, N.Y., have opened their doors to what some refer to as the “food fringe” (see accompanying story, page 34). One of the most aggressive in answering the call of the locavore is WWW.STORES.ORG Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market, which heavily promotes local foods in stores and on its website and encourages farmers to regularly introduce products to buyers. (The chain defines “locally grown” as products that have traveled seven hours or less by truck.) Its recently opened store in Napa, Calif., is said to have greaterthan-usual representation of local foods, including produce, meat, seafood and hundreds of local wines. Whole Foods also has a Local Producer Loan Program that has distributed more than $1 million in low-interest loans to small producers in 12 states, as well as to manufacturers of body care products and artisan foods like nut butter, ice cream, granola and cheese. The company has committed $10 million annually to low-interest loans ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. The stipulation: producers must meet Whole Foods’ quality standards, have a viable business plan and use the funds for expansion. Global efforts elling local products has turned into a major trend in the U.K. among retailers such as Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Wal-Mart’s Asda chain. The latter also has begun major promotion of local products in its Canadian superstore division. Tesco is focusing on local sourcing to reduce food miles and has opened regional buying offices that will make it easier for smaller producers to approach the chain and to meet increased consumer demand. As a result, it is carrying hundreds of new products, in- S STORES / APRIL 2008 33 http://WWW.STORES.ORG

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of STORES Magazine - April 2008

STORES Magazine - April 2008 Contents Executive Editor's Page President's Page More Retailers Bagging Monthly Comp-Store Reports Time-Warner Center's Economy-Defying Results What Shoppers Think 10 Things You May Have Missed Numbers Worth Counting Full Price/Markdown Retail People Eating Locally Grocery Concept2Watch Restaurants Online Services Marketing Human Resources Product Lifecycle Management E-Commerce: Peer Reviews Drive Online Buyers Kiosks Recycling Operations Payment Systems POS Logistics E-Commerce: Getting Personal Website Management LOEB Retail Letter Arts Update Point of View NRF News Retail Industry Calendar Last Laugh

STORES Magazine - April 2008

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