Nature’s Way Memo

In the above memo written by the Vice President of Nature’s Way, a chain of stores selling health food and other health-related products, the VP recommends building NW’s new store in Plainsville. But I find the evidence, which the VP gives in support of the recommendation of building a new store in Plainsville, faulty based on the following reasons. The first reason the VP gives is the high sale of running shoes and exercise clothing in Plainsville which is by no means related to the residents’ interest in eating and buying healthy food items. Maybe at the time the report was made, there were more tourists visiting the city or exercise apparel was simply in vogue which made the residents of Plainsville buy more shoes and exercise clothes. The VP then quotes the example of the local health club coming back to life with increased weight training and aerobics classes. That, to me, is not convincing enough as weight training and aerobic exercises have no direct relation with interest in healthy food. Anyone interested in working out might or might not be keen on eating healthy food. It is very much likely that the residents will be satisfied with working out alone and feel no further need to eat healthy food too. Some people even crave fast food or high-calorie food after an extensive workout which makes them prone to buying a big Mac or KFC or pizza hut, etc. which would be reverse of what the VP of Nature’s Way expects.

Lastly, the argument presented by the vice president in favor of building Nature Way’s new store is the compulsory ‘fitness for life’ program for Plainsville’s schoolchildren. The vice president is of the view that participation in the fitness program will incline the schoolchildren toward eating more healthy food and make healthy eating choices but it can very well turn out to be the exact opposite: the kids might be averted to eating healthy as they will be forced to work out at the school. Many of them might not even like following the rigorous exercise regimen and would compensate for it by eating junk food and candies. Also, the schoolchildren’s choices might vary as they grow older. They might not want to keep sticking to the exercise program out of rebellion or reaction which would make them eat unhealthier food and soda pops.

To conclude, I would say that I find the Vice Presidents’ recommendation weak and unless he would substantiate it by providing undeniable proof either in the form of a survey conducted at Plainsville or audio/video tapes, I would remain unconvinced that building NW’s new store in Plainsville is a smart idea.