Rump Roasts and Cardigans

According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, there’s a growing trend in the grocery business. Or is it the fashion industry? The article reports that buying cardigans and comfy shoes at the same place you buy your peanut butter brought in $211 million last year. In fact the trend is growing so quickly that the market research firm NPD Group shows a 76 percent increase in women’s clothing sale at food stores from January 2006 through January 2007. Since that figure was only 8 percent the previous year, it seems like this trend is not just growing, it’s exploding.

While supercenters like Walmart and Target account for the largest part of the increase, Whole Foods and Safeway have gotten in on it too, expanding their lines of women and children’s clothing as well as adding selections for men. Designer brands like Prada and Gucci aren’t available, but basics like sweaters, shoes and shirts are easy to find, with the selections offering an added measure of convenience to shoppers. Whole Foods is focusing their clothing on organic fibers and dyes in keeping with their overall message and commitment.

To read more about this new market strategy, read the Trib article at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/living/chi-0703190327mar21,1,364479.story?coll=chi-living-hed