Lexi Phillips and Kaitlynn Stratton

Company History Premium priced, high quality, natural, organic super market Founded in 1980 in Austin, TX John Mackey, Renee Lawson Hardy, Craig Weller and Mark Skiles 342 stores

Timeline 1981 – wiped out by flood 1984 – began expansion 1989 – expanded to West coast 1990’s – acquired 19 acquisitions and mergers 2002 – Canada 2004 – United Kingdom 2013 – Top 150 National Top Workplaces, World’s Most Ethical Companies, Fortune’s Most Admired Companies 2014 – 100 Best Companies to Work For

Acquisitions and Mergers Whole Foods Market Whole Food Company Wellspring Grocery Bread & Circus Mrs. Gooch’s Fresh Fields Bread of Life Amiron Merchant of Vino Allegro Coffee WholePeople.com (e-commerce subsidiary) Nature’s Heartland Food For Thought Harry’s Farmers Market Select Fish Fresh & Wild Wild Oats Market

Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet “We strive to reach beyond food retailing. In fact, our deepest purpose as an organization is helping support the health, well-being, and healing of both people – customers, Team Members, and business organizations in general – and the planet.”

Caring for Communities Community giving exceeds 5% of total net profits each year

Strengths Strong cash flow and stock position Affluent neighborhoods Strong employee retention Deli, Catering Website

Weaknesses “Whole Paycheck” Low employee efficiency Luxury Marketing costs of organic foods are higher

Opportunities Health benefits of organic foods Private label branding Continue to expand internationally Recent advertisements promoting health

Threats Changes in economy – consumer spending Low spend per trip Organic labeled items not strictly regulated Increase in competition

Sources bear.warrington.ufl.edu/dinopoulos/ECP6701/projects/CS-Whole%20Foods-Web.ppt