Whole Foods Gets Into The Spa Business

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Dec 13th 2006 at 7:02PM

Whole Foods Markets is getting into the spa business. The natural supermarket opened Refresh--The Everyday Spa at Whole Foods Market last week in a Dallas store. The 4,500-square-foot spa has seven treatment rooms and offers scrubs, massages and other treatments. There is also a private balcony where lunch from a special spa menu is served and a shop which sells beauty products and organic clothing. The spa is on a second floor removed from the hubbub of the grocery store and for $20 per hour you can ditch your shopping list at the concierge desk and get a massage while someone else picks up your groceries. If the spa works out well in Dallas then the concept will be rolled out to other stores.

[via Marketing Daily]

Tags: dallas, spa, supermarket, whole foods, WholeFoods

Filed under: Spas

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

Anna Dec 19th 2006 6:41AM

What a great idea! Sign me up!

Michael Dec 19th 2006 6:57AM

What a great idea!!!! Just one more reason I love Whole Foods. Can't wait to sign up!!!!

Marie Dec 19th 2006 7:24AM

Whole Foods is great. However they are becoming a monopoly. I am one of thousands of owners of small mom and pop health stores that went out of business trying to compete.

They are death to a little guy. No one can win against them.

S. Jacob, CMT Dec 19th 2006 7:53AM

Disappointed in this development: by offering Massage Therapy with "scrubs" and other Spa-like service, Whole Foods is perpetuating the concept that Massage Therapy is an indulgent treat to oneself. Massage Therapy should be a routine part of one's overall healthcare, not part of a fluff and buff whilst food shopping. Sad.

john Dec 19th 2006 7:57AM

not the place for a spa. it puts the the small independent out of business

j. gregory Dec 19th 2006 8:05AM

You cant complain about the big stores just because your a mom and pop store. I have to use the small stores because in my town there arent any whole food chain stores. when i go to a town where there is one i stock up what i can. small stores charge more, have less selection, and seem to feel like you owe it to them to shop there. Lower your profits, be competetive, and get bigger selection, and stop whining. im sure you shop at walmart and kmart. price and quality are better at bigger stores. learn and compete.

Lynn Dec 19th 2006 8:29AM

Unfortunately massage for the most part IS still an indulgent treat to ones self. I am a massage therapist and only 30% of my clients are regulars and able to afford a massage to maintain their health. The other 70% are those who are trying to "treat" themselves. And yes, my prices are low. I try to keep it so everyone can afford this wonderful and beneficial experience for your mind and body. Remember, most insurance companies dont pay for this kind of treatment, and there are many folks who cant come up with forty or fifty bucks (other places much higher) to indulge themselves. If Whole Foods wants to provide a twenty dollar rub, hey, more power to them!!!

D. Alan Dec 19th 2006 8:40AM

I'm curious what evidence j. gregory has to back up the sentence, "im sure you shop at walmart and kmart."

There was a recent online article about stocks to get rid of. Whole Foods is one of them. They, too, face competition not only from Wal*Mart and other big box stores but also from Safeway and other chains that are stocking house brand Organic foods.

Dwan Dec 19th 2006 8:46AM

Mom and pops stores are a dying breed.

Konny Dec 19th 2006 8:56AM

I think the 20 dollar an hour massage is a misprint or misinformation. Here in Houston, they have had massages for 1 dollar per minute, with 20 minutes suggested. That sounds more realistic. Even the massage schools charge more than 20/hour.

Ashley Dec 19th 2006 8:55AM

"and for $20 per hour you can ditch your shopping list at the concierge desk and get a massage while someone else picks up your groceries"

I think that they are trying to appeal to the person who does not have the time to do everything. They will shop for you while you are getting a massage.

Raejean Dec 19th 2006 9:05AM

Someone please explain to me how having a massage or a facial scrub or buying ecologically sensitive clothing relates to shopping for your groceries. I do understand that there is a lifestyle thread here, but if you need more than acess to a restroom or a quick refreshment while picking up the produce, the self-indulgence you're guilty of is turning the class you aspire to into a religion. Keep it totally separate and call it "Whole Mind & Body" or something. And send me the check if you use this idea.

Suzanne Dec 19th 2006 9:21AM

I think the $20 per hour fee was for the grocery shopping service, not the massage. The massage would cost much more.

LuluBear Dec 19th 2006 9:24AM

My grocery store has had chair massage for years, it's not a novel idea, just one ripped off by chain stores.

melvina Dec 19th 2006 9:36AM

im sorry for the confusion people are having but the price is as quoted

nikki gilbert Dec 19th 2006 9:44AM

sure do wish we had a whole foods =D

Jacqui Dec 19th 2006 9:42AM

This seems to be an approach to multi-tasking to help those who don't take time out to de-stress. Let them take a little joy in life where they can. Don't hate, exfoliate.

Gina Brown Dec 19th 2006 9:56AM

I myself think it's great. Can always use a good massage.

Chris Dec 19th 2006 9:50AM

Whole Foods is a place where the "well to do" folks and yuppies shop. Natural foods are ridiculously overpriced, and the difference in taste is negledgeable. I see the whole natural foods thing as just a fad that won't endure once its proven scientifically that it isn't any better.
So don't worry about Whole foods having a monopoly. They only build their stores in the wealthy areas of large cities.