Grocer reveals store plans |
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Thu, 30 Aug 2007 22:33
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DENVER (AP) - Organic grocer Whole Foods Market Inc. said Thursday it plans to add at least 200 jobs by 2010 as it renovates Boulder-area stores acquired through a $565 million purchase of rival Wild Oats Markets Inc.The Austin, Texas-based company plans to keep open stores of both chains in Boulder but will not open a Wild Oats store planned on 29th Street, opting to sell or lease the space to another retailer. It did not announce plans about other stores in the Rocky Mountain region.Whole Foods also reiterated its pledge to lower prices at 23 Wild Oats Markets in Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Utah, Idaho and Kansas City, Mo., to maintain consistency across the chain.The announcement came two days after Whole Foods closed its purchase of Boulder-based Wild Oats, ending a contentious, monthslong battle with federal regulators who opposed the union on antitrust grounds.Among the Boulder plans are an expansion of a Whole Foods store on Pearl Street by 2010 with the ultimate goal of 500 employees, and renovating three other stores.It also will convert an 18,500-square-foot Wild Oats store on Baseline Road into a new concept called Whole Foods Market Express catering to nearby University of Colorado students with more 'grab-and-go' products.Will Paradise, president of Whole Foods' Rocky Mountain region, plans to tour Wild Oats stores in the five states beginning Friday to discuss the company's plans.He said the Boulder stores were given a priority because the city about 30 miles northwest of Denver is where Wild Oats was founded and remains a big market for organic foods.Shares of Whole Foods declined $1.64 to close at $44.15 a share in Thursday trading.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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