Whole Foods takeover bid delayed, again

Whole Foods’ bid to buy out Boulder, Colorado-based organic grocer Wild Oats has been delayed by the Federal Trade Commission, despite a deal reached between the two companies in August.

photo / Todd Ross Nienkerk 

An FTC investigation conducted before the transaction contended:

“[The deal] would violate federal antitrust laws by eliminating the substantial competition between these two uniquely close competitors in the operation of premium natural and organic supermarkets nationwide, and… if the transaction goes forward Whole Foods would have the ability to raise prices and reduce quality and services.”

Although Whole Foods successfully appealed the FTC’s findings in court, the regulatory body has restarted its efforts against Whole Foods because the agency believes that because the Austin-based grocer still operates several stores under the Wild Oats brand, it still has jurisdiction to block the buyout.

For more on Whole Foods, check out this article by our very own Chad Hanna.