After shooting up to 33,200 members in just three weeks, Boycott Whole Foods on Facebook has only picked up 1,000 members in the past week and is beginning to trail off. Nevertheless, the current group is a sizeable chunk compared to the Do Not Boycott Whole Foods which stands at 4,300 members.

While 33,200 may not appear to be a lot of protesters compared to the millions that shop at Whole Foods, the backlash the retailer now faces in a media hurricane (social and otherwise) of Mackey's own making and it is highly likely that the brand's reputation has been tarnished in the short-term. Mackey's controversial statements have spread like wildfire throughout popular social media Web Sites including Facebook and Twitter as well as across major media outlets in a span of just a few short weeks.

Mackey's comments and the social media aftermath is a lesson that all retailers must pay attention to the power of social media and what is being said about their brand. Whole Foods depends on the good will of its customers and the social media uproar indicates it has taken a hit. In time, Whole Foods can and probably will recover, but social media sites clearly have delivered a big punch.

The Boycott Whole Foods Facebook page launched on August 13th, just a day after John Mackey, CEO and co-founder of Whole Foods had controversial remarks appear in a Wall Street Journal op-ed piece. The Facebook page currently stands at 33,200 members.

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