Product Range
Wholefood Planet is a vegetarian, wholefood store, stocking products which include specialised diet foodstuffs, fairly traded goods and environmentally friendly cleaning products. The Wholefood Planet’s Basic Product Range includes the top sellers from both Daily Bread locations and a selection of additional products.
Product ranges grow from both customer requests and staff interest in supporting certain products. Consequentially, each store will develop its own particular range. The basic product range is therefore offered as a minimum starting point for a store, but the number and variety of lines will increase. The Wholefood Planet basic product range includes a wide selection from the following product groups edible seeds, nuts and snacks; condiments; various spreads; flour, cereals and baking aids; dried fruit and vegetables; dairy substitutes; environmentally friendly detergents; juice and water; pasta, rice and vegetable protein; beverages; beans and lentils; olive, sesame, hazelnut, walnut and hemp oil, as well as butter and margarine.
Within the product groups, there are various options that can be offered including caffeine-free, salt-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, organic and fair trade. There are a number of branded mixes, for example breakfast mueslis, which are included as added-value products in the cereals and snacks section.
In addition to the basic products, a selection of Traidcraft gifts as well as cosmetics, candles, books, clothing and other articles which meet the environmental and ethical criteria can be sold. Products from cottage industries are to be encouraged where feasible. Whilst a coffee shop is not an essential part of the Wholefood Planet, if staff and space are available it should be included. This might to only a small space where tea, coffee and cake are served, but it is envisaged that some stores will eventually include a wholefood café, where staff, space and customers make it possible.
Chilled and frozen goods can serve to provide more variety and the cost of storage and display facilities needs to be considered when choosing to sell these products. A single fridge and single freezer could easily be sufficient to start a store. There is a capital investment in the forms of display chillers, and chilled storage facilities. If customers have access to a good local farmer’s market it is probably not worth offering fresh produce when a store is initially opened.
Wholefood Planet products are either pre-packed or packed-down on the premises. Packing down on the premises means being able to offer products in larger, more cost-effective sizes. The basic product list indicates which products can be packed down. The ratio of packed-down products to pre-packed is influenced by staff available to pack and the range of products offered. Customers may also request a product to be packed in a particular size if the size they require is not in stock on the shelf.