John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market for 44 years, will tell the inside story of the supermarket chain’s ascent and his personal evolution in the forthcoming memoir, “The Whole Story.”
John Mackey’s “Whole Story” memoir is hitting stores in May, and promises an intimate exploration of Whole Foods Market’s journey from a small Texas supermarket startup to a global phenomenon, highlighting the colorful personalities, innovative milestones, and challenging moments that have defined the company’s history since its launch in the 1980s. Mackey’s account will also offer a transparent look at the trials and triumphs he faced, including reflections on decisions and regrets, enriching the narrative with a depth of personal insight and honesty.
“It’s been several years in the making, and I’m thrilled to be able to share my story, ‘The Whole Story,’ with all of you,” Mackey said in an Instagram post announcing the book, which will be released by Penguin Random House on May 21st.
In addition to chronicling the development of Whole Foods, Mackey delves into his personal journey, detailing his spiritual exploration across various beliefs and experiences, including Christianity, New Age mysticism, and transformative encounters with psychedelics. His intellectual and political evolution, from a countercultural co-op resident to a proponent of libertarian and Conscious Capitalism ideals, forms another crucial aspect of the memoir. Mackey also addresses his philosophical shifts, particularly regarding animal welfare and the conflicts between his values and industry norms.
The memoir also explores Mackey’s personal interests, notably his passion for long-distance, ultra-light backpacking, offering readers a glimpse into the diverse experiences that have shaped his life and leadership.
Mackey, who turned 70 last year, left Whole Foods in 2022, but he didn’t leave the industry. He is behind a new venture, Love Life — a multi-pronged health and wellness platform that opened and closed its first restaurant in Culver City, Calif., last year. But Mackey says the effort will return, including a new restaurant location in nearby El Segundo, expected to open this summer. The plant-based outfit — Mackey is vegan — also includes in-person health and wellness counseling services aimed at tackling America’s health crisis. “The conventional medical system is fundamentally flawed, focusing on managing diseases and treating symptoms rather than prevention and finding the root cause,” Mackey said in a statement last year. “Studies show that 80 percent of chronic diseases can be prevented and reversed through diet and lifestyle changes, which are the focus of Love Life’s philosophy and are rarely included in conventional treatment plans.”
The news comes as Whole Foods Market has announced the launch of Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, a new store format offering streamlined, convenient catering to urban residents. The first Whole Foods Market Daily Shop location is slated to open on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 1175 Third Avenue within this year, with plans to expand the concept to additional New York City locations and eventually to cities nationwide. This innovative format is specifically designed to cater to the fast-paced urban lifestyle, providing a quick and easy way for customers to access the fresh, high-quality products for which Whole Foods is known.
Spanning 7,000 to 14,000 square feet, the Whole Foods Market Daily Shop is a compact version of the traditional store, aimed at fitting into dense metropolitan areas. This strategy, Whole Foods says, allows it to serve existing customers better and reach new ones in crowded neighborhoods where convenience and proximity are paramount. Despite their smaller size, the grocer says the new stores will offer a robust selection of perimeter products, including fresh produce, protein, prepared foods, bread, alcohol, supplements, and a curated assortment of local specialties and the 365 by Whole Foods Market house brand. The first Manhattan store will also introduce Juice & Java, a new venue offering coffee, tea, fresh juices, smoothies, sandwiches, soups, and desserts.
“At our new store formats, we’re tailoring every square foot to the unique, fast-paced needs of urban lifestyles,” Christina Minardi, Executive Vice President Growth & Development, Whole Foods Market & Amazon, said in a statement. “We’re excited to introduce a new way for our customers to quickly pick up their Whole Foods Market favorites — from grab-and-go meals to that last-minute dinner ingredient — making the early morning or after work grocery trips more efficient and enjoyable. Expanding our footprint with Whole Foods Market Daily Shop is key to our growth, fostering deeper customer connections, and advancing our purpose to nourish people and the planet.”
Whole Foods Market tried a different store format with its now defunct 365 by Whole Foods Market format. That effort focused on its private label offerings in an effort to compete with chains like Trader Joe’s and shake off its long-lasting “whole paycheck” nickname. The chain launched the 365 concept stores in 2016 before pulling the plug in 2019.
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