Organic grocer sees 'green' in December

Online warehouse club operator Green Polka Dot Box has a quirky name, but shoppers don’t seem to mind as the natural foods retailer’s December sales increased 65 percent.

"Based on early sales results, we anticipate that customer growth in this first month of the year will increase from the current level of approximately 4,200 to more than 6,000," said Rod Smith, CEO of the company. "And that we will see corresponding increases in monthly sales in January.”

The Green Polka Dot Box sells on its website as well as on Amazon.com. The company compares itself to Costco and Sam’s Club.

"There are no other online food clubs for the distribution of natural and organic foods at wholesale membership prices," the company states on its investor relations website. On the site, the company also said it's a possible acquisition target for Whole Foods, Costco and it "may be a likely candidate for acquisition by Amazon, as well."

While once considered a no-frills approach to shopping for low- to moderate-income households, experts say the economic recovery has prompted affluent consumers to increasingly turn to warehouse clubs. Today’s warehouse club customers want fresh, organic and healthy foods as well as name-brand personal care products at a lower price than most traditional supermarkets offer, according to Deloitte.They're also looking for more variety than warehouse clubs traditionally have provided. The Green Polka Dot Box competes for these customers.