Austin Grocery Stores

There is an article in today's Austin paper (free registration required) regarding Whole Foods and HEB's Central Market. Here's the main astounding points.

Sales per square foot at Whole Foods, the biggest natural food grocer in the country, are nearly $800, putting Whole Foods in a league with electronics and jewelry stores.

Central Market's profit margins are double those of a traditional grocery store, and its customers spend, on average, twice as much per trip. A typical Sunday shopper spends an hour and a half in the store.

The stores also are much more expensive to operate. The new Whole Foods will have a staff of almost 500, including pastry chefs, wine experts, beauty consultants and grocery valets.

The article also states the Central Market store is one of Austin's largest tourist attractions. And no, I didn't go.