1. Whole Foods Market
James Alford
Jeremy Keller
Matt Muller

2. History
Opened in 1978 as “SaferWay” in Austin Texas by college dropout John Mackey and his girlfriend Rene Lawson with $45k borrowed from family and friends
Partnered with Mark Skiles and Craig Weller merging with their Clarkville Natural Grocery to open first Whole Foods in 1980

3. History
Memorial Day 1981, Austin flooded destroying the uninsured stores’ inventory and equipment causing $400k in damage.
Customers and neighbors volunteered to rebuild store.
Creditors, vendors and investors provided relief of debt payments during rebuilding effort.

4. Expansion
First expansions in Houston and Dallas and then by acquisition of Whole Foods Company in New Orleans.
Expansion has continued with new stores nationwide. Real growth fueled by acquisitions of other natural food chains such as Fresh Fields, Allegro Coffee, and Wholepeople.com.
193 Stores in the US and UK.

5. Site Requirements 200,000 people or more within a 20 minute drive time
40,000–75,000 square feet
Large number of college-educated residents
Abundant parking available for exclusive use
Stand alone preferred, would consider complementary
Easy access from roadways, lighted intersection
Excellent visibility, directly off of the street
Must be located in a high traffic area (foot and/or vehicle)

6. Declaration of Interdependence
Whole Foods
“We strive to offer the highest quality, least processed, most flavorful and naturally preserved foods.”
Whole People
“We recruit the best people and empower them to make their own decisions.”
Ranked 5th on Fortune’s “Best Companies to Work For” list. Although there may be trouble in paradise. (
Whole Planet
“We believe companies, like individuals, must assume their share of responsibility as tenants of Planet Earth.”

7. Core Values
Selling the highest quality natural and organic products available.
Satisfying and delighting our customers.
Support team member excellence and happiness.
Creating wealth through profits and growth.

8. 2006 Financial Results
Reported income of $203 million on revenue of $5.6 billion.
Paid $2.45 in cash dividends per share.
NASDAQ symbol WFMI currently trading at $47.56 per share.

9. SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Strong financial position
Leading market position in US
Wide product range
Weaknesses
Advertising (word of mouth)
Weak international operations
Low employee efficiency
Revenue per employee is $137,537 compared to industry average of $309,186

10. SWOT Analysis Opportunities Threats High demand for organic products
Growth in private label products
Expansion in the UK
Threats
Competition (Wal-Mart)
Consumer spending slowdown (premium product)
Labeling and other regulations
Image problems alienating core customers (corporate image)

11. Wallstrip | Whole Foods Market
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Wallstrip | Whole Foods Market