http://www.gladrags.com/blog/2007/06/07/ftc-merger-block-of-whole-foods-and-wild-oats-bam/ a blog from the team at GladRags Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:35:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 http://www.gladrags.com/blog/2007/06/07/ftc-merger-block-of-whole-foods-and-wild-oats-bam/#comment-15 Brenda Sat, 09 Jun 2007 15:22:16 +0000 http://www.gladrags.com/blog/2007/06/07/ftc-merger-block-of-whole-foods-and-wild-oats-bam/#comment-15 Jess, this is an issue that is making strange bedfellows. Personally I hate all the mergers that are going in the world and in the natural products industry. I remember the dismay I felt years ago when my local chain, Nature's, was purchased by GNC and then by Wild Oats. And now Wild Oats becomes Whole Foods. Where will it all end - WalMart being our only shopping choice no doubt. But the issue for me in this case is why does the FTC care? The current admin only cares when something effects big biz. We saw that when the goverment stepped in a few years back to try to loosen the Organic Standards that the natural products industry and consumers wanted in place. You have to wonder when this right wing admin we have steps into "protect consumers" - the same administration that protects us by gutting clean water and air laws. I doubt that "protecting consumers" is really what this is about. -Brenda Jess, this is an issue that is making strange bedfellows. Personally I hate all the mergers that are going in the world and in the natural products industry. I remember the dismay I felt years ago when my local chain, Nature's, was purchased by GNC and then by Wild Oats. And now Wild Oats becomes Whole Foods. Where will it all end - WalMart being our only shopping choice no doubt. But the issue for me in this case is why does the FTC care? The current admin only cares when something effects big biz. We saw that when the goverment stepped in a few years back to try to loosen the Organic Standards that the natural products industry and consumers wanted in place. You have to wonder when this right wing admin we have steps into "protect consumers" - the same administration that protects us by gutting clean water and air laws. I doubt that "protecting consumers" is really what this is about. -Brenda

]]> http://www.gladrags.com/blog/2007/06/07/ftc-merger-block-of-whole-foods-and-wild-oats-bam/#comment-14 Jess Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:55:42 +0000 http://www.gladrags.com/blog/2007/06/07/ftc-merger-block-of-whole-foods-and-wild-oats-bam/#comment-14 I am a Wild Oats employee, and while our customers cheer that the FTC has saved us from being swallowed by "Whole Paycheck", we let out a deep sign and cross our fingers for good luck. This merger means higher pay, a better benefits package, and job security--as Wild Oats is $106 million in the hole. If this merger is blocked, I predict Wild Oats will not survive. I am a Wild Oats employee, and while our customers cheer that the FTC has saved us from being swallowed by “Whole Paycheck”, we let out a deep sign and cross our fingers for good luck. This merger means higher pay, a better benefits package, and job security–as Wild Oats is $106 million in the hole. If this merger is blocked, I predict Wild Oats will not survive.

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