When Will Sick Care Go Down-Market?

Whole Foods has gone down-market with the introduction of their 365 stores. I don't know about you, but I cringe when I go to one of their stores. It's hard to find a parking space. The "Whole Paycheck" prices for commodities that, in most instances, are cheaper in other stores are not worth it to me. The checkout process is often time-consuming. I go there only when it's on my honey-do list.

It sounds a lot like US sick care, so maybe it's time for them to learn something from Whole Foods.

1. Creating an independent organization and leadership separate from the mothership

2. Giving decision makers the freedom to innovate

3. Targeting a different customer demographic and psychographic

4. Using technology to improve the customer experience

5. Cheaper prices

6. Less selection to reduce costs

7. Encouraging DIY systems to reduce labor costs

8. Creating products that don't necessarily cannibalize their original high-priced products

9. Streamlining back office operations

10. Building more user friendly locations

I'm sorry: if you are not in NYC, a bagel is a bagel is a bagel. Unless 365 can convince me otherwise, I'll pay 50 cents at King Soopers instead of $1.25 at Whole Paycheck. I'm sure a lot of patients would like that too.