WFM Market Strategy
1. History
Whole Foods is recognized as one of the nation’s healthiest retail grocery stores. Whole Foods is devoted to seeking out the finest natural and organic foods available, maintaining strict quality standards, eating healthy, and being committed to the sustainability of the entire ecosystem (Whole Foods). The company was founded in Austin, Texas in September 1980 when Safer Way Natural Foods merged with Clarksville Natural Grocery (Whole Foods). Starting in 1984 Whole Foods began its process of expanding by first acquiring competitors in neighboring states, and then by merging with competitors across the country. In the 1990’s and early 2000’s Whole Foods continued to expand by acquiring several large competitors, including UK based Fresh & Wild, which was the number one organic food retail chain in the UK. Perhaps the largest overall acquisition was Wild Oats, who merged with Whole Foods in 2007 at a cost to Whole Foods of $565 million. On January 23, 1992 Whole Foods made its first appearance as a publicly traded stock. The company’s stock price reached an all-time high in 2012, generating $1.3 billion in cash, which was the company’s strongest financial performance year in their history (Whole Foods).
Currently, Whole Foods Market is the largest natural and organic grocery retailer in the United States, and the twelfth largest grocer overall. In 2013 Whole Foods operated 362 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with an average of seven million visitors each week (Whole Foods). Whole Foods has generated quite a list of accolades in its 30 plus year history. The company has been listed in the Fortune ‘100 Best Places to Work’ since the lists inception in 1998 (Whole Foods). In April, 2005 Whole Foods appeared in the Fortune 500 list at number 479 (Whole Foods). Whole Foods has also been recognized by the EPA and Department of Health for their efforts to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, promote green
Whole Foods is recognized as one of the nation’s healthiest retail grocery stores. Whole Foods is devoted to seeking out the finest natural and organic foods available, maintaining strict quality standards, eating healthy, and being committed to the sustainability of the entire ecosystem (Whole Foods). The company was founded in Austin, Texas in September 1980 when Safer Way Natural Foods merged with Clarksville Natural Grocery (Whole Foods). Starting in 1984 Whole Foods began its process of expanding by first acquiring competitors in neighboring states, and then by merging with competitors across the country. In the 1990’s and early 2000’s Whole Foods continued to expand by acquiring several large competitors, including UK based Fresh & Wild, which was the number one organic food retail chain in the UK. Perhaps the largest overall acquisition was Wild Oats, who merged with Whole Foods in 2007 at a cost to Whole Foods of $565 million. On January 23, 1992 Whole Foods made its first appearance as a publicly traded stock. The company’s stock price reached an all-time high in 2012, generating $1.3 billion in cash, which was the company’s strongest financial performance year in their history (Whole Foods).
Currently, Whole Foods Market is the largest natural and organic grocery retailer in the United States, and the twelfth largest grocer overall. In 2013 Whole Foods operated 362 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with an average of seven million visitors each week (Whole Foods). Whole Foods has generated quite a list of accolades in its 30 plus year history. The company has been listed in the Fortune ‘100 Best Places to Work’ since the lists inception in 1998 (Whole Foods). In April, 2005 Whole Foods appeared in the Fortune 500 list at number 479 (Whole Foods). Whole Foods has also been recognized by the EPA and Department of Health for their efforts to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, promote green