“I think it is absurd that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is trying to block the proposed merger between Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Market,” says C.W. Randolph, Jr., M.D., R.Ph., owner of two Natural Medicine Shoppes. “It is ludicrous to suggest that a single business entity could acquire a monopoly on the distribution of natural and organic foods.”
As a Board Certified and practicing gynecologist specializing in the natural treatment of hormone imbalances for women and men, Dr. Randolph is internationally recognized for his holistic approach to health and wellbeing. He says, “I am grateful to both Whole Foods and Wild Oats Markets because, instead of ‘owning’ the natural foods industry, they have actually educated the consumer and increased overall awareness of the health benefit of organic foods. As a result of their marketing dollars and large market presence, both Whole Foods and Wild Oats have increased competition in the local markets, not decreased it.”
Sales of organic produce have risen to a record $2.8 billion per year. And according to the Organic Market Overview Report, organic sales have increased by more than 20 percent per year for six years in a row. “Entities like Whole Foods and Wild Oats have actually created a springboard for mom-and-pop players,” says Dr. Randolph. “In almost every community across the nation, you can find farmers bringing their produce to weekly farmer's markets. I have local farmers selling their organic produce outside one of my Natural Medicine Shoppes on a weekly basis. They tell me that, despite the big players all over town, their business has never been better. I believe that the natural and organic food business will not be threatened if large competitors merge because it will still be an under-saturated market."
“Today almost all mainstream grocery stores, such as Publix, Kroger or Winn Dixie, offer an organic food section,” Dr. Randolph points out. “Three to five years ago these same stores offered nothing organic. A year or two ago, they might have one or two shelves dedicated to ‘health foods’ and a few organic offerings expensively priced in the produce department. Today, those same grocery stores are dedicating whole aisles to organic foods and offering a wide selection of organic produce at very competitive prices. Why? Did grocery stores like Publix and Kroger suddenly become health conscious? I don’t think so. I think they simply looked at the market data and realized how many consumer purchasing dollars they were losing.”
In fiscal year 2006, Whole Foods had sales of $5.6 billion and currently has more than 190 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Wild Oats had more than $1.2 billion in annual sales and currently operates 110 natural food stores in 24 states and British Columbia, Canada.Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets are cooperating to challenge the FTC's opposition to the merger.
Thank you,
Dr. Randolph
A Call for Testimonials
