On my rather frequent trips to Target (TGT), I know I can get nearly everything on my list, from mascara to wood cleaner to a new sweater. Unless I venture out to a SuperTarget in the 'burbs, however, I won't be able to find, for example, broccoli or ground turkey. My local Target's grocery selection consists of basic dairy, frozen food, and nonperishable items.

Well, for a few hundred Target stores, that's about to change -- dun-dun-DUN!

Continue reading One-Stop Shopping at Target?

One-Stop Shopping at Target? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This whole investing game is quite easy and predictable.

A hot new company goes public, attracts investors and its stock goes through the roof. Everyone wants all-in until the price reaches an unsustainable level, and then the selling begins.

Eventually either the hot company crashes and burns, or recovers to provide more rational returns in the future.

Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFMI) is a great example of this evolution.

Five years ago, this alternative grocery store was all the rage. The stock appreciated as investors believed that shoppers would be more than willing to part with more dollars in order to get food that was naturally raised without chemicals and pesticides.

Continue reading Time to get long Whole Foods (WFMI)

Time to get long Whole Foods (WFMI) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It doesn't take a genius to project that earnings reports will reflect slow retail sales activity in the last quarter of 2008.

In fact, reports in the last few days have, for the most part, reflected lower results than had been projected by the companies and the analysts following them.

The first read of the third-quarter results for Supervalu (NYSE: SVU) appeared to confirm that the company was performing consistent with the trends. SVU reported a loss of $13.95 per share, mostly resulting from a $3.3 billion charge for the writedown of goodwill and other intangible assets.

The reality is, however, that Supervalu is performing better than many of their competitors, such as Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), which reported sales and earnings well below expectations.

In its report to investors, SVU lowered its guidance for the full fiscal 2009 year to reflect the impact of higher commodity prices and cautious consumer spending.

Continue reading Supervalu (SVU) still super

Supervalu (SVU) still super originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of our Battle of the Brands feature. Let us know which brand you prefer, and watch out for more Battle of the Brands posts.

There exists, somewhere between the fearsome mass-ness of the mainstream grocery store and the high-pitched good works of the coop, farmer's market, or CSA, a world in which low prices are valued slightly higher than locality of the source but, more than anything, the products must be good. Fair-trade, organic, without trans-fatty acids, with fewer artificial colorings or preservatives or Disney characters than all the other products.

It's the world of the natural foods market. A world dominated by two very dissimilar and yet, from a target market perspective, nearly identical competitors: Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: WFMI) and Trader Joe's, a unit of German private company Aldi Group.

Walking into a store -- or simply gazing at one from across the street -- you have a very different picture. On one corner, in the midst of a posh shopping area or trendy boutique-spattered neighborhood, Whole Foods, with its glistening crates of fresh produce, honeydew melons, purple potatoes, and blood oranges piled high in an abundance of exoticism. The doors open smoothly, the merchandise is displayed beautifully, and a high-ceilinged eating area is often overflowing with customers enjoying their deli purchases. Customers enter slowly, looking around as if discovering a stunning architectural landmark for the first time.

Continue reading Whole Foods vs. Trader Joe's: Battle of the Brands

Whole Foods vs. Trader Joe's: Battle of the Brands originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 11 Apr 2007 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ:WFMI) announced on Wednesday February 21, 2007, that it intends to purchase rival organic and natural food supermarket Wild Oats -- based in Boulder, Colorado. The entire transcript of the announcement is available at the company's website (www.wholefoodsmarket.com).

Agreed, the natural and organic foods market is growing as more and more people become concerned about the harmful chemicals and lack of inspection mechanisms in our food chain. Also agreed, that Whole Foods is currently enjoying an increase in both sales and revenue. According to information released by the company as part of its 1Q 2007 earnings report, sales increased 12% to $1.9 billion. Whole Foods currently has 174 stores, the vast majority in the U.S. Average weekly store sales were up 6% to $620,000. Average number of weekly transactions increased 5% to 3.2 million. The average ticket size was up 2% to $34.43. For a full rundown on the facts and figures see the 1Q 2007 press release.

Given all the good financial news plus Whole Foods' intention to purchase Wild Oats for $565 million, investors pushed the stock up on Thursday February 22, 2007, 13.2%. Shares closed up $6.04 at $51.74. Enjoy that brief ride. S&P put Whole Foods on credit watch and may adjust the company's BBB-debt rating even lower to below investment quality unless Whole Foods can finance the purchase of Wild Oats without taking on $106 million in additional debt.

Whole Foods may bite off more than it can chew originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Selling a farm-fresh lifestyle in a box

Selling a farm-fresh lifestyle in a box originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.