Whole Foods Market

For nearly five years, Bennet Group has worked with Whole Foods Market to represent the company’s Hawaii stores. The firm manages community relations, media relations and driving sales and traffic to its two Hawaii stores in Kahala and Kahului, which continue to see increased traffic and sales year-over-year.

Due to Bennet Group’s strong relationship with the company, Whole Foods Market’s Southern Pacific (SOPAC) region recently retained Bennet Group to additional public relations support on a larger, regional level. The SOPAC region currently oversees public relations needs for 44 stores, with locations in Southern California, Arizona, Southern Nevada Las Vegas and Hawaii, and plans to assist with the opening of five new SOPAC stores in 2012.

Whole Foods Market Kailua
Bennet Group helped the company quickly and effectively communicate and establish Whole Foods Market as a perfect fit for the Kailua community. This was achieved through various meetings with key community and government leaders, during which the company was able to showcase its close alignment in values with its residents. By leveraging and building upon the great reputation Whole Foods Market previously established, the company enjoyed a successful grand opening in Kailua April 2012.

Whole Foods Market Kahului
In order to mark the arrival of Whole Foods Market on Maui, Bennet Group worked with Whole Foods Market to implement a number of strategic initiatives, including traditional media relations, hosting a VIP event for local Maui partners, promoting the store opening via social media (including twitter and Facebook) – giving away tickets to the special preview party through those outlets – as well as media tours.

As a result of the marketing team’s coordination, Whole Foods Market Kahului’s grand opening received more than $166,801 in earned media coverage – a more than 23 times return on the grand opening budget. On opening day the store’s sales were $155,005, with 4,930 shoppers coming through the doors. During the store’s first five days (Wednesday through Sunday) 19,426 shoppers visited the store, with $593,169 in sales.