"Whole Foods rallies after activist investor suggests selling chain" by Nick Turner and Craig Giammona Bloomberg News April 10, 2017
NEW YORK — Whole Foods Market Inc. shares surged the most in more than two years after activist investor Jana Partners LLC acquired a stake of 8.3 percent and suggested that the organic-food grocer may want to put itself up for sale.
The investment firm announced the holding in a filing on Monday, saying it would seek talks with management and push for a review of Whole Foods’ strategic alternatives. Jana also may nominate at least three directors in a bid to help foster a turnaround.
The supermarket chain, which helped pioneer the organic-food movement, has been grappling with its worst sales slump in more than a decade. Six straight quarters of declining same-store sales have forced the company to close stores and rein in costs. A record-setting bout of food deflation has put additional pressure on the entire grocery industry.
In announcing its investment, Jana vowed to address the weak performance and potentially shake up the board. The New York-based firm also will examine real estate and Whole Foods’ new small-store format called 365.
Whole Foods shares rose nearly 10 percent to close at $34.17. The stock had been up 1 percent this year through the end of last week.
Oh, that's good. For a moment I thought we were in trouble.
Larger mainstream grocers, including Kroger Co. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., continue to advance on Whole Foods’ organic turf, weighing on sales. Whole Foods has sought to fight back by offering more discounts and starting the new 365 chain, which is aimed at younger shoppers.
Some eaters are more important than others?
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Related:
Whole Foods to shrink store count for first time since recession
Whole Foods closing troubled Everett kitchen
Something wrong with the yogurt now?
Also see:
Skeletal remains of woman found in Dedham woods
Skeletal remains found in Dedham identified as 22-year-old woman
Sorry to ruin your appetite -- and mine.
NDUs:
Few clues in case of woman found in Dedham
How does a young woman simply vanish?
There’s an E. Coli outbreak at Chicken & Rice Guys
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Ten hospitalized in E. coli outbreak at Chicken & Rice Guys
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15 now sick in major E. coli outbreak at Chicken & Rice Guys
