Whole Foods quarterly sales grow 13.2%

AUSTIN, Texas Whole Foods Market today reported sales and earnings for the 12-week quarter ended July 1. Sales increased 13.2% to $1.5 billion driven by 14% ending square footage growth and a 7% increase in comparable-store sales on top of a 9.9% increase in the prior year. Identical-store sales (excluding four relocated stores and two major expansions) increased 5.8%. Net income was $49.1 million and diluted earnings per share were 35 cents.

For the 40-week period ended July 1, sales increased 12.3% to $4.8 billion driven by 14% ending square footage growth and comparable-store sales growth of 6.7% on top of an 11.7% increase in the prior year. Sales in identical-stores (excluding five relocated stores and three major expansions) increased 5.7%. Net income was $148.8 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.05.