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More Whole Foods stores to carry topical CBD products

Latest rollout expands category to locations in 29 states and D.C.

Russell Redman

September 19, 2019

2 Min Read
Whole Foods store_Kenwood OH.jpg
Whole Foods Market

This month, Whole Foods Market is expanding its distribution of topical cannabidiol (CBD) products to another 13 states.

Whole Foods said yesterday that, with the rollout, it will have topical CBD products available at 359 stores in 29 states and the District of Columbia. The Austin-based specialty grocer operates 483 U.S. stores overall.

New states where Whole Foods stores sell topical CBD items include Arkansas, Arizona, California, Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.

“Our shoppers have expressed a growing interest in CBD products,” according to Jennifer Coleman, global senior category merchant at Whole Foods.

Pacha Soap CBD Salt Block Set - Copy.jpg

Whole Foods said it’s also adding exclusive CBD bath items from Pacha Soap Co. (left), including CBD Mineral Soak, CBD Whipped Soap, CBD Bar Soap and CBD Froth Bombs. The retailer noted that the new CBD products meet its body care quality standards, which ban parabens, phthalates, triclosan and more than 100 other questionable ingredients used in conventional body care products. (Photo courtesy of Whole Foods.)

From Oct. 4 to 6, Whole Foods plans to offer beauty and body care products – including topical CBD and the new Pacha Soap Co. bath items – at 25% off as part of the chain’s fall Beauty, Bath and Body Care Sale. Prime members get an extra 10% off the discounted price.

Related:Just who is the CBD product customer?

“We’re thrilled to roll out topical CBD products in even more stores and to share new, exclusive items from our longstanding supplier partner Pacha Soap Co.,” Coleman commented.

Other states where Whole Foods stores carry topical CBD products include Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.

Late last year, the federal government changed its classification of cannabis with the enactment of the Farm Bill. The legislation removed hemp from the Federal Controlled Substances Act’s definition of marijuana. That meant hemp was no longer a controlled substance under federal law, even though marijuana remains a Schedule I drug.

Under current federal law, CBD and THC can’t be added to a food or marketed as a dietary supplement. The Food and Drug Administration maintains regulatory oversight of food, cosmetics, drugs and other products within its jurisdiction that have CBD, THC or the cannabis plant as an additive.

The CBD product market’s potential, however, has drawn the interest of retailers large and small, though many remain uncertain about the regulatory framework regarding the sale and labeling of hemp-containing products, even as various CBD offerings make their way into stores.

Related:Kroger’s Houston-area stores start selling CBD products

According to a study by CPG sales and marketing firm Acosta, 28% of consumers use CBD products on an as-needed or daily basis. CBD product sales to consumers are projected to reach $20 billion by 2024, Acosta said in its “The CBD Effect: A Rapidly Emerging Consumer Trend” released last week.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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