Whole Foods Market is a chain of grocery stores that sell natural and organic foods and products. They have expanded rapidly since 1980 by buying smaller natural foods store chains, including Wild Oats. They have over 270 stores in the United Kingdom and the United States.
On November 5, 2008, Green Equity Investors V bought 17% of Whole Foods' stock. The market chain has been affected by the economic crisis as consumers have cut back on gourmet, organic food products.http://bstocksdev.weblogsinc.com/2008/11/05/private-equity-firm-takes-a-bite-out-of-whole-foods/ Private equity firm takes a bite out of Whole Foods
As of February 2010, investor Ron Burkle had bought 20% of the Whole Foods stock and accused the company of using "poison pill" tactics to prevent him from buying more. www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/890491/000110465910004168/a10-2792_1ex99d2.htm
On April 22, 2010, Whole Foods announced its intentions to reduce energy consumption by 25% per square foot by 2015.www.naturalproductsmarketplace.com/news/2010/04/whole-foods-market-to-cut-energy-by-25-percent.aspx
Whole Foods Market stores tend to be much larger than conventional health food stores and are set up like familiar chain groceries complete with deli, bakery, and large butcher and produce sections. In addition, Whole Foods carries items like aromatherapy supplies, healthy or organic shoes and socks, and gardening items.
Whole Foods Market also carries a wide variety of magazines that deal with various aspects of natural and organic living. Most locations have a salad bar and deli counter that have vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Most also have beer and wine sections that stock lesser-known varieties than the typical supermarket.
Past Whole Food Acquisitions
Contact Whole Foods
- Headquarters: Whole Foods Market, Inc., 550 Bowie Street, Austin, TX 78703-4644
- Headquarters phone number: 512-477-4455
- Headquarters voicemail: 512-477-5566
- Headquarters fax: 512-482-7000
Whole Foods Market Books
- Amazon.com: The Whole Foods Market Cookbook
