Whole Foods Market: Wild Oats merger on track

Whole Foods is offering Gregory Mays, Wild Oats' interim CEO, a $750,000 bonus to stay on until the sale is completed in April. The merger reinforces Whole Foods Market's dominant position in natural and organic food retailing in the US and enables the retailer to compete on a firm footing with its mass market rivals.

Published By Datamonitor

Whole Foods Market: over here and over priced?

The impact of the global natural and organic retailing champion on British grocery retailing can be felt across the capital already, with Waitrose announcing the launch of its first upmarket food store in Marylebone. Despite an unrivalled organic and natural product offer in the UK, Whole Foods' long term prospects are questionable.

Published By Datamonitor

Whole Foods Market: organic growth

While the performance of America's mainstream supermarkets continues to languish, year-on-year sales at Whole Foods Market have been growing at a double-digit rate since 1998. However, the strength of Whole Foods' organic home market is attracting intense competition - which will increase the pressure on the company to cut costs.

Published By Datamonitor

Wendy's: PETA breaks through

Published By Datamonitor

Wendy's: new Latin flavor

The number three burger chain will hike media spending by 30%, specifically targeting kids, families, Hispanics, and the late-night market. Wendy's chances of taking share from McDonald's and Burger King could be strong - but to refine its value proposition and stay in Wall Street's good books, it will need to track returns on the media initiatives carefully.

Published By Datamonitor

Webvan: pureplay grocers in dire straits

Published By Datamonitor

Webvan: maybe the beginning of the end

Published By Datamonitor

Webvan: crashing into oblivion

Published By Datamonitor

Walmart: trialing online grocery delivery in California

Walmart has launched its Walmart To Go grocery home delivery service in a bid to gain a share of rising online spend and to counteract falling domestic sales. Although high levels of car ownership and the vast size of the US make it difficult to offer such a service nationally, the rise of online retailing along with a maturing market make the trial an imperative move for Walmart.

Published By Datamonitor

Walmart expands card presence with equity stake in prepaid provider Green Dot

US retail giant Walmart recently acquired a minority share in prepaid card provider Green Dot, whose cards are sold in 50,000 locations in the US and remains one of the key market players in the US prepaid space. Green Dot may provide Walmart with a foothold in the US financial services sector, despite the retailer being previously denied a banking license.

Published By Datamonitor