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Whole Foods Cannot Sow Wild Oats

FTC accuses crunchy granola types of monopoly grab

By Sarah Levy,  Newser User

Posted Jun 6, 2007 8:30 PM CDT

(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.

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Jose Alberda cleans up produce at the Whole Foods store in New York City.
Jose Alberda cleans up produce at the Whole Foods store in New York City.   (KRT Photos)
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