John Mackey CEO of US retailer Whole Foods, has revealed to the Wall Street Journal plans to steer the retailer back to its beginnings as a store offering truly healthy food.
Over the last few years, he said, Whole Foods, which opened its first UK store two years ago, had started selling a whole variety of fancy, prepared foods, including many that are unhealthy.
“Basically, we used to think it was enough just to sell healthy food, but we know it is not enough,” he told the newspaper. “We sell all kinds of candy. We sell a bunch of junk.”
He added that healthy, bulk foods such as grains, seeds, nuts and beans now accounted for approximately 1 per cent of sales, down from 15-20 per cent.
Plans to begin pushing healthier foods included creating kiosks in stores, where staff would be able to educate consumers about healthy eating.
“Healthy eating went on at Whole Foods from at least about 1980 to 1995,” said Mr Mackey. “Now we've had a 15-year run for the foodie philosophy. We are launching a reversal now. We will be moving into food as health.”
