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July 24, 2008 8:53:40 AM CDT

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Whole Foods Cannot Sow Wild Oats

Posted Jun 6, 07 8:30 PM CDT in US,  Business 

(Newser) – Even crunchy granola types may be monopolists at heart—at least according to the Federal Trade Commission.The FTC said yesterday it wants to block Whole Foods’ $670 million purchase of Wild Oats Markets, claiming that the sale will result in even higher-than-usual prices at the natural foods stores.

Industry insiders say the FTC is ignoring strong competition from other large retailers, including Wal-Mart and Costco, that have hopped on the organic bandwagon. The merger would give Whole Foods control of only 11% of the market for natural foods. “I don’t see how these two could have a monopoly,” said one consultant.

Source BusinessWeek

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  (Associated Press)
Jose Alberda cleans up produce at the Whole Foods store in New York City.   (KRT Photos)
  (KRT Photos)
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food  • Wal-Mart  • merger  • Whole Foods  • FTC  • Federal Trade Commission  • Costco  • Wild Oats


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