Whole Foods Market, Inc. · Austin, TX United States ·(NASDAQ (GS): WFMI)

With food and other items that are free of pesticides, preservatives, sweeteners, and cruelty, Whole Foods Market knows more about guiltless eating and shopping than most retailers. The world's #1 natural foods chain by far -- now that it has acquired its main rival Wild Oats Markets -- the company operates more than 280 stores in the 38 US states, Canada, and the UK. The stores emphasize perishable products, which account for about two-thirds of sales. Whole Foods Market offers more than 2,150 items in four lines of private-label products (such as the premium Whole Foods line). Founded in Austin, Texas, in 1980, Whole Foods Market pioneered the supermarket concept in natural and organic foods retailing. To read the full description, subscribe now.