Thread regarding Whole Foods Market Inc. layoffs

That's just it, burgers are everywhere and in case anyone hasn't noticed, Mickey D's results haven't been much to get excited about for many years. But Mickey D's situtation is much different than Starbucks. Other than some outstanding local coffee houses, there is no serious competitor to Starbucks in terms of consistency, quality and international footprint. The post is about Starbucks, not McDonald's. ;-)

Why is McDonalds still relevant? I can get a burger almost anywhere now

TXF - that was fabulously written And so true!

Hey fkp, actually I'm doing great. This may make your butt hurt but here goes: I wasn't laid off, I freakin' LEFT on good terms when my lease ended early last year. But there were early indications that something wasn't right because we were seeing the consolidations of PBS, HSH specialist and SSI roles, and new stores were hiring combined TLs. Meanwhile, the consolidations weren't actually working very well....a lot of work wasn't getting done right. Things just started to fall apart. Our store leadership knew something was afoot for sure. In any case, I made a positive decision to GET OUT not because my job was being eliminated (it wasn't) but because I was fed up with the chaos at regional and global, lack of career opportunities, and the total dysfuntion of the place. Six weeks after I left the STL suddenly resigned. Within 2 months it was clear that the entire company was headed off a cliff. So in response to your idiocy, I come to this site to hear just how bad it's gotten and it gives me a huge happy feeling everytime I do, confirming that I made the right decision. It's entertainment for me. In other words, blow it out your a--.

The Analogy should be to Kmart, not Starbucks...

Kmart--that reminder of how unchecked ARROGANCE can undermine even the best established brand.

Kmart was king before there was Wal-Mart.then came Brand mismanagement, Not knowing its customers, Underestimating the competition(WMT), Technology aversion, Supply chain disconnect,Loss of focus, Strategy du jour,and of course... Repeating the same mistakes. ---sound familiar?

Yes, Kmart still exists, but that's about it.

-fkp, it should also be noted that you are on this website too. That either means that you are a former WFM employee who also was let go and still hasn't "moved on with your life" or you are a current WFM employee who cares way too much about what former employees think. Either way, do yourself a favor and stop coming to a layoff site if you don't want to hear commentary about the layoff.

-fkp, what is your point. This whole site is for people to discuss layoffs, people quitting and moving on, people frustrated with the current state of WFM, etc. It shows how great a workforce a company has (or had) when so many people come together in mourning when it falls apart. All we're doing here is commenting about the sinking ship that is WFM, it's cathartic and also a boost knowing other people feel the same way. Go sit down.

everyone sells coffee, starbucks still makes money...everyone sells groceries, WFM still makes money...you whiney little b--ches are as bitter as the coffee you drink. Whole foods is doomed because I'm not there anymore...wahhahaha....you were let go because you were dead weight, nothing more, nothing less, get over....almost a year later you are all still here, b--ching on this site rather than moving on with your lives because you basically have no value to anyone or any employer...nice try bruh...

Coffee is a commodity but is seen as more of a guilty pleasure with a lower overall price point (in compared to their total food budget) than groceries. Also, people actually feel that there is a clear difference between the quality/taste of coffee from Starbucks than from other brands. When you combine those two things - small impact to budget and perceived difference from other brands - people will justify purchasing the product.

The issue with WFM is that grocery shopping is the main driver of a person's overall food budget and the difference in products is not as clear. How many people can do a blind taste test of two cucumbers and determine which one is from WFM and which one is from Publix? Not many. Not to mention that most grocery stores carry the exact same products now, so the main difference between stores is the private label products, the customer service, and the decor. I've never been blown away by WFM's private label (you don't see articles about the 365 brand stuff like you do about Trader Joe's private label items), customer service is definitely on the decline now that staffing levels are being cut, and nobody really cares about marble floors and reclaimed wood after their first visit (it just becomes a blur as you speed through the aisles).

Starbucks operates with amazing consistency overall. Are they perfect? No, but they do it better than anyone else. And look at the products too. No one will ever be passionate over bitter, bland Allegro coffee. Also: SERVICE. Starbucks has a team of pros ready to make your beverage and they are good at it. Around here, I saw day after day totally inadequate staffing and preparation, a mess at the supplies bar, a lot of loud noise that ruined the whole experience, and people leaving the coffee bar in a huff, giving up in frustration saying "I should have gone to Starbucks." Also, Starbucks has carefully franchised their brand and they sell some of their product in every grocery and drug store. Even at Dollar General and convenience stores (cold Frappuchinos and bagged coffees). Their mugs are cool and their gadgets work. Pointing to a respected, long-term successful company that has survived many changes and challenges but continues to thrive and has strong loyalty worldwide doesn't mean the comparison is merited. Nice try though.

Bruh a daily frappicino aint a whole paycheck..

Starbucks was on the same road as WF; however, their management shut down every starbucks for three days and revamped their brand. WF, on the other hand, doesn't see anything wrong with their model. You don't see starbucks trying to make another franchise under the same company (i.e. 365). My point is, Starbucks knew they were messing up and did something about it. There are articles about this online.

Starbucks has it's own lively page on thelayoff.com. Starbucks isn't Whole Foods, whole foods isn't Starbucks, your argument is pointless and fallacious. But nice try.

their management probably doesnt s--- tho