Whole Foods, FTC settle Wild Oats dispute

updated 10:06 a.m. ET March 6, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas - Whole Foods Market said Friday it will sell 13 stores to resolve the Federal Trade Commission's challenge against the grocer over its purchase of Wild Oats Markets.

Whole Foods said it is putting 12 Wild Oats stores and one Whole Foods store up for sale. The company will also sell leases and assets for 19 Wild Oats stores that have already been closed.

Federal regulators have challenged Whole Foods' 2007 acquisition of Wild Oats over competitive issues.

Whole Foods Chief Executive John Mackey says it will be "business as usual" in the 13 operating stores.

Once it gets approval from the FTC, the company says it will take a non-cash charge of no more than $19 million for the sale of the stores.

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