AUSTIN, Texas--Whole Foods Markets yesterday released its 4Q and FY00 numbers, ended Sept. 24. The natural products retailer, based here, posted sales increases of 22 percent for the quarter vs. the comparable quarter in 1999, and a 23 percent increase for the year. It also said it plans to repurchase all Amrion common stock from the venture capital investors and pursue a sale of the division.
The company announced in late October that it was retaining an investment banking firm to explore options for its investment in Amrion, a direct marketing and supplement manufacturing company. Whole Foods Board of Directors has now agreeded to purchase 100 percent of the common stock back from the investors and "aggressively pursue a sale" of the division. The consolidated results of Whole Foods' operations in the 4Q include $49 million in charges related to losses from Amrion and the plan to discontinue the business.
Whole Foods also noted that it opened five new stores during the fourth quarter, bringing its total number to 117. It has signed leases for four new stores, and now has 23 stores in development with an average store size of 34,000 square feet. Comp store sales increased 8.6 percent for the quarter and the fiscal year, and gross margins increased to 34.8 percent of sales. To learn more about the company, visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com.
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