Whole Foods, FTC reach settlement agreement

AUSTIN, Texas Whole Foods Market has reached a settlement agreement resolving the Federal Trade Commission's antitrust challenge to Whole Foods Market's August 2007 acquisition of Wild Oats Markets.

Pursuant to FTC protocol, the settlement agreement has been placed on public record for a 30-day comment period ending April 6, after which the FTC will issue a final ruling. Under the terms of the agreement, a third-party divestiture trustee has been appointed to market for sale: leases and related assets for 19 non-operating former Wild Oats stores, 10 of which were closed by Wild Oats prior to the merger and nine of which were closed by Whole Foods Market;  leases and related fixed assets (excluding inventory) for 12 operating acquired Wild Oats stores and one operating Whole Foods Market store; and Wild Oats trademarks and other intellectual property associated with the Wild Oats stores.

The divestiture trustee will have six months to market the assets to be divested. For any good faith offers that are not finalized by the divestiture trustee during the six-month period, an extension of up to six months may be granted. This 12-month period may be further extended to allow the FTC to approve any purchase agreements submitted within that time period. The only other obligations on the company imposed by the settlement agreement are in support of the divestiture trustee process.

"We are pleased to have reached a mutually-satisfactory agreement with the FTC. We believe it was in the best interests of all our stakeholders to resolve this matter so we can dedicate our full attention to selling the highest quality foods available in our inviting store environments," said John Mackey, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Whole Foods Market. "It will be business as usual in the 13 operating stores to be marketed for sale. We are committed to serving our shoppers by continuing to operate these stores in the manner our customers deserve and expect. We will be offering team members in stores that are sold the choice of either a guaranteed job offer in another store or an enhanced severance package."

After receiving final approval by the FTC, which is expected prior to April 30, Whole Foods expects to record a non-cash charge of approximately $19 million or less relating to the potential sale of the 13 operating stores.