Whole Foods
Market last week launched a website optimized for web-enabled mobile devices.
The site basically provides customers with the features of wholefoodsmarkets.com
while on the go.
Mobile device users can access Whole Foods' selection of over 2,000 recipes; get store information including hours, driving directions, store specials; as well as peruse a calendar of events for their local store. It also includes the "My List" feature that enables customers to create a shopping list that can be emailed, sent to another phone, or shared with another user.
The mobile site also features a store locator where customers can use a ZIP code search to find the nearest Whole Foods Market store. It is available at http://m.wholefoodsmarket.com.
"Whether they are at home, work, or out and about, our customers can now easily access store information and what's on sale at their local Whole Foods Market," said Bill Tolany, global coordinator of integrated media for Whole Foods, in a statement. "Shoppers can also use their handheld devices to create shopping lists and save their favorite recipes to 'My Recipe Box,' a popular feature on our website."
Mobile users also gain access to articles from Whole Story, the blog of Whole Foods, as well as other articles on organic/natural foods, recycling tidbits and various causes. The mobile website currently includes a list of the top ten holiday wines.
Discussion Questions: What do you think of Whole Foods' mobile website? Is it enough for now to primarily feature easy access to the main features of a retailer's standard consumer website? What different features should be on retailer's mobile websites?