'Whole Paycheck' no more

Whole Foods Market has a reputation for good food at high prices, earning its Whole Paycheck nickname. But in a sign of hard economic times, the organic and natural foods retailer is embracing store coupons to entice shoppers to its Southern California stores.

Here's a coupon that offers shoppers $10 off $50 in purchases, a 20% discount.  The only restriction listed on the coupon is that it can't be applied to the purchase of gift cards. The coupon expires Nov. 30.

Some people also will find the coupon in a door-hanger that Whole Foods is distributing in some neighborhoods near its stores.

If you know of good coupon deals for Whole Foods or other retailers, post the information and links in our comments section.

-- Jerry Hirsch  

 Photo: Wines on display at a Whole Foods Market in El Segundo. Credit: Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[gj]

Love to see stories about more (and better deals) around LA

[Joseph]

While it's certainly nice to see a discount, it really speaks to how much overage Whole Foods has in their margins (the price of the goods sold in the store, on average, is 2.5x their cost).

Surprisingly, however, their profit margin was about 1.5% in 2007, one of their more successful years.

If Whole Foods can't get operating costs under control, they're certainly going to flounder in this 6-year recession.

[Wood]

Joseph has no idea about the margins at Whole Foods. They are far less than he states. WFM has plenty of items that are great values, including their 365 items. The 365 items are not only great values but they of a higher quality than you'll find in other supermarkets. WFM also has an extensive selection of good wines that are priced at under $10 a bottle. Go see for yourself, look around or take one of the vlaue tours that the stores offer. You'll be suprised if you believe the 'whole paycheque' myth.

[john345]

We are all trying to make do and get as much as possible for each dollar spent. Lately my family and I have been doing more research before buying anything, and have also done more online shopping and looked harder for better deals. We have not stopped spending, however.

One of the online sites we have found to be useful is:
http://www.uberi.com

They do have some interesting bargains listed that are not available even on price search engines. We were able to get more for each dollar. Hope that's useful info for some.

[BCL]

Joseph, you are way off base and obviously uneducated in the financials workings of a grocer. The notion that WFM's margins are based on a 2.5 x cost markup is completely inaccurate. Margins in the grocery world are the leanest of any business I have ever encountered. The theory behind giving away $10 is focused on bring in new or former shoppers into the stores....it's simply a marketing and advertising expense just like all those billboards you see driving down the freeway or flyers in your newspaper.....it has nothing to do with margins.

[samir v.]

if you want traditional grocery store (no fancy stuff) at amazingly low prices try going into lower income communities and shop at FOOD 4 LESS or other similar stores. their prices are sometimes 1/2 that of our grocery stores (such as pavillions and ralphs!)

for example, their tomatoes sale for 3lbs for 99 cents in lieu of $3.99/lb! meat anc chicken is half the price as usual.

however, if you can't go to the ghetto...go to trader joes. that's my preference and favorite!!!! to me it's bristol farms withouth the extravagant prices! and a lot of organic produce as well!!!!!

[reizit]

e-commerce is getting more and more popular. this creates the need of having good tools to help shoppers make right decisions while buying online. reizit.com is a place where shoppers can recommend or bury a product, share experience and discuss shopping deals.