Whole Food Defends Wild Oats Merger

With toughly worded statements to federal regulators, and a new Web site for its customers and other curious onlookers, the natural foods retailer Whole Foods began its defense of a proposed merger with Wild Oats. The Federal Trade Commission sued to block the $565 deal between the nation's two largest natural food chains, claiming that the merger would decrease competition, drive up prices and reduce the quality of products offered to consumers, according to a story in the June 16 Austin American-Statesman. The greatest concern is about the effect on pricing and competition in the 24 cities where the two independent chains both currently operate stores. To see Whole Foods' take on it, see their Web site by clicking here.