Whole Foods Posts 15% Sales Growth In Fourth Quarter; Raises Outlook

In the quarter to September 26, 2010, Whole Foods Market Inc., posted a 15-percent increase in sales and surpassed the $2 billion mark. Same-store sales growth increased 8.7 percent in the quarter, demonstrating that overall growth was not just attributable to adding stores. Co-CEO John Mackey, said the company's performance outpaced expectations and praised the company's relative pricing; he also pointed to the company’s efforts to reinforce its position as a leader in the healthy and organic foods market with initiatives focused on “healthy eating, animal welfare and sustainable seafood.” The company opened one store in the quarter to give a total of 301 and expects to open three more in Q1 2011.