Full Description

Whole Foods Market, Inc. (Whole Foods Market), incorporated in 1980, owns and operates a chain of natural and organic foods supermarket. As of September 30, 2008, the Company operated 275 stores organized into 11 geographic operating regions, 264 stores in 38 United States of America states and the District of Columbia; six stores in Canada, and five stores in the United Kingdom. This includes 55 stores (net of divested locations) acquired from Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (Wild Oats) on August 28, 2007, 52 stores in 20 United States of America states and three stores in Canada. Whole Foods Market’s product categories include, but are not limited to, produce, seafood, grocery, meat and poultry, bakery, prepared foods and catering, specialty (beer, wine and cheese), Whole Body (nutritional supplements, vitamins, body care and educational products, such as books), floral, pet products and household products.

Perishable products accounted for approximately 67% of the Company’s total retail sales at its locations during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 (fiscal 2008). The Company owns two produce procurement centers, which facilitate the procurement and distribution of the majority of the produce it sell. It also operates four seafood-processing and distribution facilities, a specialty coffee and tea procurement and brewing operation, a confectionary, and nine regional distribution centers, which distribute a range of products to its stores across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. In addition, it has five regional commissary kitchens and eight bakehouse facilities, all of which distribute products to its stores. In fiscal 2008, the Company terminated 13 leases for stores in development totaling 679,000 square feet, or an average of 52,000 square feet per store.