Whole Foods needs some educating

January 25, 2006

For the non-US members of the group, Whole Foods is a very pricey

supermarket chain that specializes in products that are not chemical-laden.

Yes, the hair and skin products have preservatives, but not the harsh

synthetic chems found in mainstream body care stuff. They have an extensive

organic produce, dairy, and meat department. Whole grain cereals and grains

abound, etc.

I was searching for something in their hair care department yesterday,and

was really shocked to discover they sell bunky, treacly, low-end perfume

oils. They have several lines -- Auric Blend, Troloika (sp?) another I

can't remember with a really weird fakey Zen name, and some room wick stuff

for room fragrancing. china rain, musk, melon tutti-fruitty abounded. When

I asked one of the sales girls, she defended the " lilac " of one of the

lines with something that sounded like a NP-group defense -- she said that

they used naturals to blend a doppelganger " lilac. "

I'm sure the purveyor of that perfume told her that, but the lilac was NOT

from naturals, it was really bunky. They also have a line of garishly-dyed

incense sticks. Banana coconut musk, anyone?! Gak.

They used to carry Ecco Bella, a natural perfume line, but it was not at

the Aventura, FL store yesterday, and I'm afraid they may have discontinued it.

If there is a Whole Foods store near you, and you, as a natural perfumer

have the inclination, talk with them, and you can fill out a suggestion

card at the front of the store. I did, and asked they reply via phone so I

can have a good chance to speak with them. They said the person who will

call me will report to the regional manager.

It is a shame that one of the most visible " faces " for natural products in

this country is uneducated on natural perfumes and is selling cheap, really

cheap, nasty sweet chemical concoctions. It's even worse their customers

don't know the difference.

If can change marketing policy re: Allured publishing with the

Arctander book, think of what we, as a group, can do to change the perfume

policy of this national chain. Please consider getting active on this, it

can only help the future of natural perfumery.

Anya

The premier site on the Web to discover the beauty of Natural Perfume

Join to study natural perfumery

Recommended Posts