Back in January, Whole Foods Market co-founder and co-CEO John Mackey made it known that he wasn't a fan of Obamacare, comparing it to fascism. The move by Mackey had plenty of folks vowing that they'd boycott the 350-store upscale market, but the company's second-quarter earnings report says something completely different.

Second-quarter net income grew 20 percent to $142 million, according to Reuters, and total sales rose more than 13 percent to $3.03 billion. The company also raised its full-year expectations per share to between $2.86 and $2.89. Since the end of the quarter in mid-April, same-store sales have gone up 9.4 percent.

Not too shabby for a retail brand that is gaining more and more competition. Part of its success is because the chain decided to reach out to more customers by adding more locations and lowering prices in a bid to beat its "Whole Paycheck" reputation. The long-term expectation is for Whole Foods to have 1,000 stores in the U.S. and beyond.Continue reading...

It hasn't been a good year for meat eaters. Dozens of reports of horse meat being marketed as beef streaked across Europe, affecting retailers like Bird's Eye, Taco Bell, Ikea and Tesco. Most recently, six people have died in China from an avian flu outbreak, which led to the execution of thousands of chickens and has ultimately caused Chinese consumers to swear off poultry, dragging down grocers and QSR chains like KFC, which have seen double digit declines in sales. 

However, the meat wars aren't over. Trader Joe's is now the focus of an effort by the Consumers Union, which took the grocer to task with a full-page ad in The Los Angeles Times saying that the company is “selling meat from animals fed a steady stream of antibiotics,” the L.A. Times reports.

The funky grocer, whose majority of products are private label brands (its own) responded, noting that it “also sells a selection of antibiotic-free chicken, beef, turkey, ham and lamb,” and that it “also offers private label goods that shun genetically engineered ingredients.” However, Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports magazine, says that the privately owned grocer has refused to meet to discuss the issue.Continue reading...

Netflix CEO says company is "on probation" despite soaring subscriptions.

Coach reveals ready to wear collection in bid to add luster.

NFL pressures fan to nix Harbowl trademark.

Acer writes down value of brands.

Air Canada CEO defends higher airline fees.

Apple stock plunge highlights investor expectations.

Barclays new CEO swings the axe in Asia.

Benetton turns down the shock tactics.

H&M to stage first Paris Fashion Week show in eight years.Continue reading...

Apple takes a subtle dig at Samsung in new iPhone ad as its supply is tested by record sales thanks to use of thin display.

Burberry tops London Fashion Week tweets thanks to One Direction's Harry Styles.

Dave & Busters prices IPO lower than expected.

Diageo is in talks about buying stake in United Spirits.

Estee Lauder develops brand just for China.

Ford's CMO promotes social- and product-dirven brand.Continue reading...

Google’s Android mobile operating system is #1 on the top 20 brands favored by the LGBT community, according to the researchers at YouGov BrandIndex. Last year, Google's YouTube topped the annual LGBT ranking.

The 2012 LGBT buzz list includes four Apple-related and several other tech and social media brands, and looks quite different from last year’s ranking, with 12 new brands making the top 20: Android, iPad, Target, Samsung, Aleve, Kindle, Advil, PBS, LG, Starbucks, Comedy Central, and Skype. Disneyland and Disney World share fourth spot, reflect the parks' annual LGBT days and outreach to the gay community.

“Gay consumers number 15 million and counting, spending $743 billion annually” in the U.S., according to LGBT marketing agency Prime Access. Falling out of the top 20 this year: Google, Amazon, Whole Foods, Claritin, HBO, Lowe's, Cheerios, Food Network, M&Ms, Nike, Trader Joe's and Bose.Continue reading...

BlackBerry-maker RIM plans to slash staff.

P&G will change candy-resembling Tide Pods on child safety concerns.

Formula One wins court challenge overturning 'F1' trademark‎.

Amazon will sell pre-paid wireless service in Japan.

Apple applies for patents on advanced stylus.

Two years after BP oil spill, tourists return to US Gulf.

Cisco pulls the plug on its Cius tablet.

ExxonMobil to vote on gay protections.

Facebook is reportedly developing a smartphone (with ex-Apple engineers).Continue reading...

Costco really wants to sell you a bottle of whiskey … or vodka … or, well, your call, but the nation’s largest membership warehouse chain has its sights set on selling liquor to consumers in the state of Washington, and it's willing to put its money where its mouth is.

Last year, Costco spent $4.8 million on a failed initiative to privatize liquor sales and let retailers like, oh, Costco sell the stuff, according to the Seattle Times. The company doesn’t want to lose again so, this year, it has laid down more than $22 million on lobbying, the most money spent by a single donor on a voter initiative in state history, to try and get the initiative pushed through on Election Day in November, the Times reports.Continue reading...

Ian Schrager, a trailblazer in the boutique-hotel movement of the mid- to late 1980s, has long been known for promoting a sense of exclusivity. From the 1970s moment he set up a velvet rope in front of the iconic New York club that he co-owned and cofounded, Studio 54, Schrager has seemingly been all about creating spaces that aren’t accessible to all.

Now it appears that the 64-year-old Schrager is going in the opposite direction, announcing Tuesday that he is developing five new hotels using the Public brand that “drew inspiration primarily from the retail outlets for Apple and Trader Joe's, a supermarket that sells specialty products at a discount,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

"This is for everyone that wants it," he told the WSJ. "It's not about being a stylish hotel. It's really trying to get away from the iconic over-the-top blow-the-customer-away kind of design that people are sick of. It's become a Frankenstein monster and being replicated by companies who don't understand the purpose."

His hotels that he created for his Morgans Hotel Group and Ian Schrager Company were all about design and luxury service along with large public spaces that included bars and restaurants. Public is taking a different tack.Continue reading...