INDUSTRY NEWS: Whole Foods To Expand in Ontario

Whole Foods Market is set to expand the Company's reach across Ontario with two new locations that will be opening in Mississauga and North York.

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Whole Foods Market® to Expand in Ontario

Two New Locations Announced on Earnings Call

Toronto (February 16, 2010) – Whole Foods Market (Nasdaq: WFMI), the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket announced Tuesday that two new locations will be opening in Ontario – one in Mississauga in the Square One shopping complex; the other in Toronto’s North York area.

“At Whole Foods Market, we want to share our enthusiasm for the freshest, most flavorful natural and organic foods available, and we are thrilled to grow our business in Ontario,” comments Michael Bashaw, Midwest Regional President. “I opened Whole Foods Market’s first Canadian store in 2002. Ever since then, I’ve been convinced that Ontario is a great location for more Whole Foods Market stores. We definitely plan for further growth in the area,” says Bashaw.

The stores will reflect the company’s mission of supporting sustainable agriculture and the environment by featuring natural, organic foods, which are free of artificial ingredients and hydrogenated fats. With a focus on fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, specialty items, high-quality meats and poultry, everyday pantry staples and sustainable seafood, the store will appeal to a variety of customers ranging from the health conscious to serious gourmands.

About Whole Foods Market Team Members

Whole Foods Market, which estimates it will add approximately 250 additional jobs in the areas, has been named by Fortune magazine as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in the U.S. for 13 consecutive years – every year since the List’s inception.

“Whole Foods Market celebrates a unique and diverse workforce. We’re proud that our Team Members are truly passionate about sharing the joys of great-tasting food and natural lifestyle choices with others,” Bashaw says.

Commitment to the Community

Whole Foods Market has a history of establishing a deep commitment to each of the communities it serves. “These stores will allow us to deepen our commitment to the community. We look forward to building relationships with our neighbourhood partners,” Bashaw comments.

About the Mississauga Store

The store, set to open in 2011, will be located at Rathburn Road and Square One Drive. It will be located at the northeast corner of the Square One shopping complex in Mississauga as a standalone store. Square One is a popular shopping area known for its fashion events, contests, community celebrations and holiday spectacles. The city of Mississauga has been recognized as the safest city in Canada for the past eight years, offering family-oriented sports, leisure and arts facilities with 11 community centres and a vibrant downtown city centre.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to have Whole Foods Market join the Square One family,” states Nance MacDonald General Manager Square One Shopping Centre. “Whole Foods Market embodies everything we stand for at Square One: a devotion to community, a provider of delicious, high-quality foods and a topnotch employer.”

About the North York Store

The store, located at the corner of Yonge and Sheppard in Toronto’s North York community, is scheduled to open in 2013. It will be the ground level anchor of the Hullmark Centre, a destination hub destined to become a defining landmark. The development will be served by direct indoor access to the Yonge and Sheppard subway station. Hullmark Centre is being built by Tridel, ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction for a Fourth Consecutive Year” by J.D. Power and Associates. Hullmark Centre will be a Tridel Built Green, Built For Life® community that is registered with the Canada Green Building Council to pursue LEED® Certification. Yonge and Sheppard is the gateway to North York’s dynamic and growing downtown. Office towers, luxury condominiums, residential neighbourhoods, parks, restaurants and great shopping all make this an exciting community.

“Whole Foods Market is a natural fit for both the Hullmark Centre and the North York,” comments Dino Carmel, Chief Operating Officer, Tridel Builders Inc. “We cannot wait to get this store open and share Whole Foods Market’s wonderful natural and organic products with the community.”

Source: Whole Foods Press Release