Judge OK's Whole Foods - Wild Oats Merger

Whole Foods can go ahead with its plans to purchase Wild Oats for $671 million, consolidating two of the best known brands in the natural and organic foods retail world, according to various press accounts.

The Federal Trade Commission's concerns about the merger harming consumers by limiting competition were rejected by U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman, who heard arguments earlier this summer and issued his decision yesterday.

Whole Foods will add 109 stores in the United States to its chain, bringing its total reach to more than 300 stores in the United States, Canada and U.K.

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