Whole Foods Market (WFM) 10-Q 2014 Q1 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended January 19, 2014; or

o Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from __________ to __________.

Commission File Number:  0-19797

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas	74-1989366
(State of	(IRS employer
incorporation)	identification no.)

550 Bowie Street

Austin, Texas 78703

(Address of principal executive offices)

512-477-4455

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Large accelerated filer x	Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No x

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, no par value, outstanding as of February 14, 2014 was 371,969,999 shares.

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

	Page
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited), January 19, 2014 and September 29, 2013	1
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited), for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 and January 20, 2013	2
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited), for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 and January 20, 2013	3
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited), for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 and fiscal year ended September 29, 2013	4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited), for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 and January 20, 2013	5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	6
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	12
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	18
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.	18
Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.	20
Item 1A. Risk Factors.	20
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.	20
Item 6. Exhibits.	21
Signature	22

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

(In millions)

Assets	January 19, 2014			September 29, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	271		$	290
Short-term investments - available-for-sale securities	771			733
Restricted cash	111			111
Accounts receivable	209			188
Merchandise inventories	454			414
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	109			93
Deferred income taxes	150			151
Total current assets	2,075			1,980
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,510			2,428
Long-term investments - available-for-sale securities	302			302
Goodwill	679			679
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	66			65
Deferred income taxes	77			72
Other assets	11			12
Total assets	$	5,720		$	5,538
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Current installments of capital lease obligations	$	1		$	1
Accounts payable	277			247
Accrued payroll, bonus and other benefits due team members	384			367
Dividends payable	45			37
Other current liabilities	459			436
Total current liabilities	1,166			1,088
Long-term capital lease obligations, less current installments	31			26
Deferred lease liabilities	514			500
Other long-term liabilities	46			46
Total liabilities	1,757			1,660
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, no par value, 600.0 shares authorized; 376.3 and 375.7 shares issued; 371.9 and 372.4 shares outstanding at 2014 and 2013, respectively	2,804			2,765
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 4.4 and 3.3 shares at 2014 and 2013, respectively	(215		)	(153		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(4		)	1
Retained earnings	1,378			1,265
Total shareholders’ equity	3,963			3,878
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	5,720		$	5,538

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)

(In millions, except per share amounts)

	Sixteen weeks ended
	January 19, 2014		January 20, 2013
Sales	$	4,239	$	3,856
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	2,754		2,508
Gross profit	1,485		1,348
Direct store expenses	1,077		979
General and administrative expenses	132		116
Pre-opening expenses	16		14
Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs	5		4
Operating income	255		235
Investment and other income, net of interest expense	4		3
Income before income taxes	259		238
Provision for income taxes	101		92
Net income	$	158	$	146
Basic earnings per share	$	0.42	$	0.39
Weighted average shares outstanding	372.3		370.8
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.42	$	0.39
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted basis	375.8		374.3
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.12	$	1.10

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)

(In millions)

	Sixteen weeks ended
	January 19, 2014			January 20, 2013
Net income	$	158		$	146
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5		)	(2		)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(5		)	(2		)
Comprehensive income	$	153		$	144

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Consolidated Statementsof Shareholders’ Equity(unaudited)

Sixteen weeks endedJanuary 19, 2014 and fiscal year ended September 29, 2013

(In millions)

	Shares outstanding		Common stock		Common stock in treasury			Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			Retained earnings			Total shareholders’ equity
Balances at September 30, 2012	370.9		$	2,592	$	(28	)	$	5		$	1,233		$	3,802
Net income	—		—		—			—			551			551
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—			(4		)	—			(4		)
Dividends ($1.40 per common share)	—		—		—			—			(519		)	(519		)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to team member stock plans	4.1		81		—			—			—			81
Purchase of treasury stock	(2.6	)	—		(125		)	—			—			(125		)
Tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options	—		36		—			—			—			36
Share-based payment expense	—		56		—			—			—			56
Balances at September 29, 2013	372.4		2,765		(153		)	1			1,265			3,878
Net income	—		—		—			—			158			158
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—			(5		)	—			(5		)
Dividends ($0.12 per common share)	—		—		—			—			(45		)	(45		)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to team member stock plans	0.6		16		—			—			—			16
Purchase of treasury stock	(1.1	)	—		(62		)	—			—			(62		)
Tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options	—		5		—			—			—			5
Share-based payment expense	—		18		—			—			—			18
Balances at January 19, 2014	371.9		$	2,804	$	(215	)	$	(4	)	$	1,378		$	3,963

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Consolidated Statementsof Cash Flows (unaudited)

(In millions)

	Sixteen weeks ended
	January 19, 2014			January 20, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	158		$	146
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	111			102
Share-based payment expense	18			17
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	(4		)	6
Excess tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options	(5		)	(4		)
Accretion of premium/discount on marketable securities	9			9
Deferred lease liabilities	11			16
Other	6			6
Net change in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(15		)	17
Merchandise inventories	(40		)	(27		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(16		)	(24		)
Accounts payable	31			(4		)
Accrued payroll, bonus and other benefits due team members	17			29
Other current liabilities	55			14
Net change in other long-term liabilities	1			—
Net cash provided by operating activities	337			303
Cash flows from investing activities
Development costs of new locations	(122		)	(96		)
Other property and equipment expenditures	(97		)	(59		)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(339		)	(366		)
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	289			727
Increase in restricted cash	—			(9		)
Payment for purchase of acquired entities	—			(22		)
Other investing activities	(4		)	(5		)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(273		)	170
Cash flows from financing activities
Common stock dividends paid	(37		)	(397		)
Issuance of common stock	16			9
Purchase of treasury stock	(62		)	(26		)
Excess tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options	5			4
Net cash used in financing activities	(78		)	(410		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(5		)	—
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(19		)	63
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	290			89
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	271		$	152
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Federal and state income taxes paid	$	89		$	88

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

January 19, 2014

(1) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Whole Foods Market, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively “Whole Foods Market,” “Company,” or “we”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2013. In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for any other interim period or for a full fiscal year. The Company reports its results of operations on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in September. The first fiscal quarter is 16 weeks, the second and third quarters each are 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter is 12 or 13 weeks. Fiscal years 2014 and 2013 are 52-week years. The Company has one operating segment and a single reportable segment, natural and organic foods supermarkets.

The following is a summary of percentage sales by geographic area for the periods indicated:

	Sixteen weeks ended
	January 19, 2014		January 20, 2013
Sales:
United States	96.7	%	96.6	%
Canada and United Kingdom	3.3		3.4
Total sales	100.0	%	100.0	%

The following is a summary of the percentage of net long-lived assets by geographic area as of the dates indicated:

	January 19, 2014		September 29, 2013
Long-lived assets, net:
United States	95.8	%	95.7	%
Canada and United Kingdom	4.2		4.3
Total long-lived assets, net	100.0	%	100.0	%

(2) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists,” which amends Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740, “Income Taxes.” The amendments provide guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit, as either a reduction of a deferred tax asset or as a liability, when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 and may be applied on either a prospective or retrospective basis. The provisions are effective for the Company’s first quarter of fiscal year ending September 27, 2015. We do not expect the adoption of these provisions to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, “Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force),” which amends ASC 405, “Liabilities.” The amendments provide guidance on the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements, including debt arrangements, other contractual obligations, and settled litigation and judicial rulings, for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 and should be applied retrospectively. The provisions are effective for the Company’s first quarter of fiscal year ending September 27, 2015. We do not expect the adoption of these provisions to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

6

(3) Fair Value Measurements

The Company holds money market fund investments that are classified as cash equivalents that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The Company also holds available-for-sale securities generally consisting of state and local municipal obligations and variable rate demand notes which hold high credit ratings. These instruments are valued using a series of multi-dimensional relational models and series of matrices with standard inputs obtained from readily available pricing sources and other observable market data, such as benchmark yields and base spread.

The carrying amounts of accrued payroll, bonuses and other benefits due team members, and other accrued expenses approximate fair value because of their short maturities. Store closure reserves and estimated workers’ compensation claims are recorded at net present value to approximate fair value.

The Company held the following financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on the hierarchy levels indicated (in millions):

January 19, 2014	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total
Cash equivalents:
Money market fund	$	20	$	—	$	—	$	20
Commercial paper	—		93		—		93
Marketable securities - available-for-sale:
Commercial paper	—		110		—		110
Corporate bonds	—		5		—		5
Municipal bonds	—		941		—		941
Variable rate demand notes	—		17		—		17
Total	$	20	$	1,166	$	—	$	1,186

September 29, 2013	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total
Cash equivalents:
Money market fund	$	73	$	—	$	—	$	73
Commercial paper	—		104		—		104
Municipal bonds	—		17		—		17
Marketable securities - available-for-sale:
Corporate bonds	—		5		—		5
Municipal bonds	—		1,010		—		1,010
Variable rate demand notes	—		20		—		20
Total	$	73	$	1,156	$	—	$	1,229

(4) Investments

The Company holds investments in marketable securities that are classified as either short- or long-term available-for-sale securities. Investments are stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of related tax effect, included as a component of shareholders’ equity until realized. Declines in fair value below the Company’s carrying value deemed to be other than temporary are charged against net earnings. The Company held the following investments at fair value as of the dates indicated (in millions):

	January 19, 2014		September 29, 2013
Short-term marketable securities - available-for-sale:
Commercial paper	$	110	$	—
Municipal bonds	644		713
Variable rate demand notes	17		20
Total short-term marketable securities	$	771	$	733
Long-term marketable securities - available-for-sale:
Corporate bonds	$	5	$	5
Municipal bonds	297		297
Total long-term marketable securities	$	302	$	302

Gross unrealized holding gains and losses were not material at January 19, 2014 or September 29, 2013. Available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $150 million and $252 million were in unrealized loss positions at January 19, 2014 and September 29, 2013, respectively. There were no investments in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months

7

at January 19, 2014. The aggregate value of available-for-sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months at September 29, 2013 totaled approximately $22 million. The Company did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairments for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 or fiscal year ended September 29, 2013.

At January 19, 2014, the average effective maturity of the Company’s short- and long-term investments was approximately 6 months and 17 months, respectively, compared to approximately 5 months and 16 months, respectively, at September 29, 2013.

(5) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

No adjustments to goodwill were recorded during the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014. The Company recorded goodwill totaling approximately $16 million primarily related to the acquisition of six retail locations during the sixteen weeks ended January 20, 2013. The Company acquired definite-lived intangible assets totaling approximately $3 million, primarily acquired leasehold rights, and approximately $6 million, primarily favorable lease assets related to the acquisition of six retail locations, during the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 and January 20, 2013, respectively. The components of intangible assets as of the dates indicated were as follows (in millions):

	January 19, 2014					September 29, 2013
	Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization			Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization
Definite-lived contract-based	$	105	$	(42	)	$	102	$	(40	)
Definite-lived marketing-related and other	1		(1		)	1		(1		)
Indefinite-lived contract-based	3					3
Total	$	109	$	(43	)	$	106	$	(41	)

Amortization associated with intangible assets totaled approximately $1 million for both the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 and the same period of the prior fiscal year. Future amortization associated with the net carrying amount of definite-lived intangible assets is estimated to be as follows (in millions):

Remainder of fiscal year 2014	$	3
Fiscal year 2015	5
Fiscal year 2016	5
Fiscal year 2017	4
Fiscal year 2018	4
Future fiscal years	42
Total	$	63

(6) Reserves for Closed Properties

The following table provides a summary of store closure reserve activity during the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 and fiscal year ended September 29, 2013 (in millions):

	January 19, 2014			September 29, 2013
Beginning balance	$	36		$	41
Additions	1			5
Usage	(3		)	(11		)
Adjustments	3			1
Ending balance	$	37		$	36

8

(7) Shareholders’ Equity

Dividends per Common Share

The following table provides a summary of dividends declared per common share during fiscal years 2014 and 2013 (in millions, except per share amounts):

Date of declaration	Dividend per common share		Date of record	Date of payment	Total amount
Fiscal year 2014:
November 1, 2013 (1)	$	0.12	January 17, 2014	January 28, 2014	$	45
Fiscal year 2013:
November 29, 2012	$	1.00	December 10, 2012	December 21, 2012	$	371
November 7, 2012	0.10		January 18, 2013	January 29, 2013	37
March 15, 2013	0.10		April 12, 2013	April 23, 2013	37
June 12, 2013	0.10		July 5, 2013	July 16, 2013	37
September 10, 2013	0.10		September 27, 2013	October 8, 2013	37

⁽¹⁾ Dividend accrued at January 19, 2014

Treasury Stock

The following table outlines the share repurchase programs authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors, and the related repurchase activity as of January 19, 2014 (in millions):

Authorization date	Expiration date	Amount authorized		Cost of repurchases		Authorization available
November 15, 2012	December 31, 2014	$	300	$	62	$	238
November 1, 2013	December 31, 2015	500		—		500
		$	800	$	62	$	738

Share repurchase activity for the periods indicated was as follows (in millions, except per share amounts):

	Sixteen weeks ended
	January 19, 2014		January 20, 2013
Number of common shares acquired	1.1		0.5
Average price per common share acquired	$	56.06	$	46.04
Total cost of common shares acquired	$	62	$	26

Under the repurchase programs, purchases can be made from time to time using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases or purchases through a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, all in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable legal requirements. The specific timing, price and size of purchases will depend on prevailing stock prices, general economic conditions and market conditions, and other considerations. The repurchase programs do not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock and may be suspended or discontinued at any time at the Company’s discretion.

(8) Earnings per Share

The computation of basic earnings per share is based on the number of weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents consisting of incremental common shares deemed outstanding from the assumed exercise of stock options and the dilutive effect of restricted stock awards.

9

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations follows (in millions, except per share amounts):

	Sixteen weeks ended
	January 19, 2014			January 20, 2013
Net income (numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share)	$	158		$	146
Weighted average common shares outstanding (denominator for basic earnings per share)	372.3			370.8
Potential common shares outstanding:			��
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of stock options	3.5			3.5
Weighted average common shares outstanding and potential additional common shares outstanding (denominator for diluted earnings per share)	375.8			374.3
Basic earnings per share	$	0.42		$	0.39
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.42		$	0.39

The computation of diluted earnings per share for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 and January 20, 2013 does not include options to purchase approximately 3.9 million shares and 7.1 million shares of common stock, respectively, due to their antidilutive effect. The dilutive effect of restricted stock awards was not material for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 or the same period of the prior fiscal year.

(9) Share-Based Payments

Share-based payment expense before income taxes recognized during the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 and January 20, 2013 totaled approximately $18 million and $17 million, respectively. Share-based payment expense was included in the following line items on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods indicated (in millions):

	Sixteen weeks ended
	January 19, 2014			January 20, 2013
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	$	1		$	1
Direct store expenses	10			9
General and administrative expenses	7			7
Share-based payment expense before income taxes	18			17
Income tax benefit	(7		)	(6		)
Net share-based payment expense	$	11		$	11

At January 19, 2014 and September 29, 2013, approximately 42.5 million shares and 42.3 millionshares of the Company’s common stock, respectively, were available for future stock incentive grants. At January 19, 2014 and September 29, 2013, there was approximately $107 million and $130 million of unrecognized share-based payment expense, respectively, related to unvested stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, related to approximately 12.3 million shares and 12.4 million shares, respectively. We anticipate this expense to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately three years.

(10) Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is exposed to claims and litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business and uses various methods to resolve these matters in a manner that we believe best serves the interests of our stakeholders. Our primary contingencies are associated with insurance and self-insurance obligations and litigation matters. Estimation of our insurance and self-insurance liabilities requires significant judgments, and actual claim settlements and associated expenses may differ from our current provisions for loss. We have exposures to loss contingencies arising from pending or threatened litigation for which assessing and estimating the outcomes of these matters involve substantial uncertainties.

The Company evaluates contingencies on an ongoing basis and has established loss provisions for matters in which losses are probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Insurance and legal settlement liabilities are included in the “Other current liabilities” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We believe the recorded reserves in our consolidated financial statements are adequate in light of the probable and estimable liabilities.

10

(11) Related Party Transactions

The Company provides ongoing support to three independent nonprofit organizations: Whole Planet Foundation, Whole Kids Foundation, and Whole Cities Foundation (the “Foundations”). Whole Planet Foundation’s mission is to empower the poor through microcredit, with a focus on developing-world communities that supply the Company’s stores with product. Whole Kids Foundation is dedicated to improving children’s nutrition through partnerships with schools, educators, and other organizations. Whole Cities Foundation is dedicated to supporting efforts to increase access to nutritious, fresh food and health education in underserved communities. The board of directors of each of the Foundations is principally comprised of members of the Company’s management. Additionally, the Company provides administrative support and covers all operating costs of the Foundations.

11

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Disclaimer on Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this report and from time to time in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, news releases, reports, and other written and oral communications made by us and our representatives, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “continue,” “could,” “can,” “may,” “will,” “likely,” “outlook,” “depend,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “forecast,” “goal,” “target,” “sustain,” “seek” and similar expressions, and include references to assumptions and relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this analysis are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to be materially different from such forward-looking statements and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. These risks and uncertainties include general business conditions, changes in overall economic conditions that impact consumer spending, including fuel prices and housing market trends, the impact of competition and other factors which are often beyond the control of the Company, as well other risks listed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2013 and risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial.

We wish to caution you that you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

This information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2013.

Overview

Whole Foods Market, Inc. is the leading retailer of natural and organic foods and America’s first national “Certified Organic” grocer. Our Company mission is to promote the vitality and well-being of all individuals by supplying the highest quality, most wholesome foods available. Since the purity of our food and the health of our bodies are directly related to the purity and health of our environment, our core mission is devoted to the promotion of organically grown foods, healthy eating, and the sustainability of our entire ecosystem. Through our growth, we have had a significant and positive impact on the natural and organic foods movement throughout the United States, helping lead the industry to nationwide acceptance. The Company incorporated in 1978, opened the first Whole Foods Market store in 1980, and as of January 19, 2014, operated 371 stores: 355 stores in 40 U.S. states and the District of Columbia; 8 stores in Canada; and 8 stores in the United Kingdom. We have one operating segment, natural and organic foods supermarkets.

Our continued growth depends on our ability to increase sales in our identical stores and open new stores. Our growth strategy includes opening new stores in existing and new areas and operating those stores successfully. The Company’s average weekly sales and gross profit as a percentage of sales are typically highest in the second and third fiscal quarters, and lowest in the fourth fiscal quarter due to seasonally slower sales during the summer months. Gross profit as a percentage of sales is also lower in the first fiscal quarter due to the product mix of holiday sales.

Sales of a store are deemed to be comparable commencing in the fifty-third full week after the store was opened. Stores acquired in purchase acquisitions enter the comparable store base effective the fifty-third full week following the date of acquisition. Identical store sales exclude sales from relocated and remodeled stores with square footage changes greater than 20% from the comparable calculation to reduce the impact of square footage changes on the comparison. Stores closed for eight or more days are excluded from the comparable and identical store base from the first fiscal week of closure until re-opened for a full fiscal week. Comparable and identical sales growth is calculated on a same-calendar-week to same-calendar-week basis.

The Company reports its results of operations on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in September. Fiscal years 2014 and 2013 are 52-week years.

Economic and Industry Factors

Food retailing is a large, intensely competitive industry. Our competition varies across the Company and includes but is not limited to local, regional, national and international conventional and specialty supermarkets, natural foods stores, warehouse membership clubs, online retailers, smaller specialty stores, farmers’ markets and restaurants, each of which competes with us on the basis of store ambiance and experience, product selection, quality, customer service, price or a combination of these factors.

12

We offer a broad and differentiated selection of high-quality natural and organic products with a strong emphasis on perishable foods. We aspire to become an international brand synonymous with not just natural and organic foods, but also with being the highest quality food retailer in every community in which we are located. We believe our strict quality standards differentiate our stores from other supermarkets and enable us to attract and maintain a broad base of loyal customers.

Highlights for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2014

During the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014, sales increased 9.9% to a record $4.2 billion and diluted earnings per share increased to $0.42. For the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014:

• Average weekly sales totaled $719,000, translating to sales per square foot of $983;

• Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 35.0%, a record for the first quarter;

• Operating income as a percentage of sales totaled 6.0%;

• EBITDA margin totaled 8.6%; and

• Return on invested capital (“ROIC”) was 13.3%.

We produced approximately $337 million in cash flows from operations and invested approximately $219 million in capital expenditures, of which approximately $122 million related to new stores. During the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014, we opened 10 new stores and year-over-year square footage increased over 8.2% to 14.2 million square feet. In addition, we paid cash dividends to common shareholders totaling approximately $37 million and repurchased approximately $62 million of our common stock. At January 19, 2014, we had cash, restricted cash and investments totaling approximately $1.5 billion.

Updated Outlook for Fiscal Year 2014

Based on our first quarter results and updated assumptions for the remainder of the fiscal year 2014, the Company revised its fiscal year 2014 outlook as shown in the table below.

	Sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014	Implied second through fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014	Estimated fiscal year 2014
Sales growth	9.9%	11% - 12%	11% - 12%
Comparable store sales growth	5.4%	5.5% - 6.5%	5.5% - 6.2%
General and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales	3.1%	3.1%	3.1%
Pre-opening and relocation expenses	$21 million	$54 - $57 million	$75 - $78 million
Diluted earnings per share	$0.42	$1.16 - $1.23	$1.58 - $1.65
Diluted earnings per share growth	7%	7% - 14%	7% - 12%

The Company expects ending square footage growth of 8% to 10% in fiscal year 2014. The Company expects capital expenditures for fiscal year 2014 to be in the range of approximately $600 million to $650 million, which includes the opening of 33 to 38 new stores.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the Company’s consolidated statements of operations data expressed as a percentage of sales:

	Sixteen weeks ended
	January 19, 2014		January 20, 2013
Sales	100.0	%	100.0	%
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	65.0		65.0
Gross profit	35.0		35.0
Direct store expenses	25.4		25.4
General and administrative expenses	3.1		3.0
Pre-opening expenses	0.4		0.4
Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs	0.1		0.1
Operating income	6.0		6.1
Investment and other income, net of interest expense	0.1		0.1
Income before income taxes	6.1		6.2
Provision for income taxes	2.4		2.4
Net income	3.7	%	3.8	%

Figures may not sum due to rounding.

13

Sales for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 totaled approximately $4.2 billion, increasing 9.9% over the same period of the prior fiscal year. Average weekly sales totaled approximately $0.7 million, translating to sales per gross square foot of $983. Comparable store sales increased 5.4% during the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014, driven by increases in transaction count and basket size totaling 3.1% and 2.3%, respectively. As of January 19, 2014, there were 344 locations in the comparable store base. The spread between comparable store and identical store sales growth during the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014, excluding six relocations and one expansion, was approximately 60 basis points. At January 19, 2014, there were 32 stores that were opened or acquired 52 weeks or less which contributed approximately $214 million to total sales during the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014.

The Company’s gross profit as a percentage of sales was approximately 35.0% for both the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 and the same period of the prior fiscal year. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increasedsix basis points for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 compared to the same periods of the prior fiscal year. The increase is a result of leverage in occupancy costs, which was partially offset by a slight increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales, reflecting our expanded price investments. These efforts include improving our relative price positioning, expanding our value offerings across the store, and increasing our promotional activity.

Direct store expenses as a percentage of sales were approximately 25.4% for both the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 and the same period of the prior fiscal year. Overall, direct store expenses as a percentage of sales increased three basis points during the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014, with leverage in wages offset by an increase in health care costs as a percentage of sales.

General and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 were approximately 3.1% compared to approximately 3.0% for the same period of the prior fiscal year. The increase in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 was primarily due to increased investments in technology.

Share-based payment expense was included in the following line items on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods indicated (in millions):

	Sixteen weeks ended
	January 19, 2014			January 20, 2013
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	$	1		$	1
Direct store expenses	10			9
General and administrative expenses	7			7
Share-based payment expense before income taxes	18			17
Income tax benefit	(7		)	(6		)
Net share-based payment expense	$	11		$	11

Pre-opening expenses totaled approximately $16 million for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 and approximately $14 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs totaled approximately $5 million for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 compared to approximately $4 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year.

The numbers of stores opened and relocated were as follows:

	Sixteen weeks ended
	January 19, 2014	January 20, 2013
New stores	9	9
Relocated stores	1	1

Investment and other income, net of interest expense, which includes interest income, investment gains and losses, rental income and other income, totaled approximately $4 million for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 compared to approximately $3 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Income taxes resulted in an effective tax rate of approximately 39.0% for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 compared to approximately 38.6% for the same period of the prior fiscal year.

14

Non-GAAP measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, the Company provides information regarding Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) margin and Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”) as additional information about its operating results. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, GAAP. We believe that these presentations provide useful information to management, analysts and investors regarding certain additional financial and business trends relating to our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, management uses these measures for reviewing the financial results of the Company as well as a component of incentive compensation.

The following is a tabular reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure EBITDA margin to GAAP net income, which the Company believes is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. EBITDA margin was as follows (in millions):

	Sixteen weeks ended
	January 19, 2014			January 20, 2013
Net income	$	158		$	146
Provision for income taxes	101			92
Investment and other income, net of interest expense	(4		)	(3		)
Operating income	255			235
Depreciation and amortization	111			102
EBITDA	$	366		$	337
Sales	$	4,239		$	3,856
EBITDA margin	8.6%			8.7%

The Company defines ROIC as annualized adjusted earnings divided by average invested capital. Earnings are annualized on a 52-week basis. Adjustments to earnings are defined in the following tabular reconciliation. Invested capital reflects an average of the trailing four quarters. ROIC was as follows (in millions):

	Sixteen weeks ended
	January 19, 2014			January 20, 2013
Net income	$	158		$	146
Interest expense, net of tax	—			—
Adjusted earnings	158			146
Total rent expense, net of tax (1)	69			66
Estimated depreciation on capitalized operating leases, net of tax (2)	(46		)	(44		)
Adjusted earnings, including interest related to operating leases	181			168
Annualized adjusted earnings	$	513		$	475
Annualized adjusted earnings, including interest related to operating leases	$	588		$	547
Average working capital, excluding current portion of long-term debt	$	901		$	973
Average property and equipment, net	2,378			2,146
Average other assets	1,100			993
Average other liabilities	(537		)	(480		)
Average invested capital	$	3,842		$	3,632
Average estimated asset base of capitalized operating leases (3)	2,930			2,789
Average invested capital, adjusted for capitalization of operating leases	$	6,772		$	6,421
ROIC	13.3%			13.1%
ROIC, adjusted for capitalization of operating leases	8.7%			8.5%

⁽¹⁾ Total rent includes minimum base rent of all tendered leases

⁽²⁾ Estimated depreciation equals two-thirds of total rent expense

⁽³⁾ Estimated asset base equals eight times total annualized rent expense

15

Liquidity and Capital Resources and Changes in Financial Condition

The following table summarizes the Company’s cash and short-term investments as of the dates indicated (in millions):

	January 19, 2014		September 29, 2013
Cash and cash equivalents	$	271	$	290
Short-term investments - available-for-sale securities	771		733
Total	$	1,042	$	1,023

Additionally, the Company held long-term investments in available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $302 million at January 19, 2014 and September 29, 2013.

We generated cash flows from operating activities totaling approximately $337 million during the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 compared to approximately $303 million during the same period of the prior fiscal year. Cash flows from operating activities resulted primarily from our net income plus non-cash expenses and changes in operating working capital.

Net cash used in investing activities totaled approximately $273 million for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 compared to net cash provided of approximately $170 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year. Net purchases of available-for-sale securities totaled approximately $50 million during the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 compared to net sales and maturities of approximately $361 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year. Our principal historical capital requirements have been the funding of the development or acquisition of new stores and acquisition of property and equipment for existing stores. The required cash investment for new stores varies depending on the size of the new store, geographic location, degree of work performed by the landlord and complexity of site development issues. Capital expenditures for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 totaled approximately $219 million, of which approximately $122 million was for new store development. Capital expenditures for the sixteen weeks ended January 20, 2013 totaled approximately $155 million, of which approximately $96 million was for new store development. The following table provides information about the Company’s store development activities:

	Stores opened during fiscal year 2013	Stores opened during fiscal year 2014 as of February 12, 2014	Properties tendered as of February 12, 2014	Total leases signed as of February 12, 2014 (1)
Number of stores (including relocations)	32	12	26	107
Number of relocations	5	1	1	11
Percentage in new markets	31%	42%	35%	19%
Average store size (gross square feet)	36,000	39,000	40,000	39,000
Total square footage	1,137,000	467,000	1,034,000	4,208,000
Average tender period in months	8.7
Average pre-opening expense per store	$2 million
Average pre-opening rent per store	$1 million

⁽¹⁾ Includes leases for properties tendered

The following table provides information about the Company’s estimated store openings, including relocations, through fiscal year 2015:

	Estimated openings	Ending store count	Ending gross square footage	Ending square footage growth
Fiscal year 2014	33 - 38	394 - 399	14.9 - 15.2 million	8% - 10%
Fiscal year 2015	38 - 45	429 - 439	16.3 - 16.8 million	9% - 11%

We believe we will produce operating cash flows in excess of the capital expenditures needed to open the 107 stores in our current store development pipeline. The Company currently has 373 stores totaling approximately 14.2 million square feet and considers 1,200 stores to be a reasonable indication of its market opportunity in the United States over the long term. Our growth strategy is to expand primarily through new store openings, and while we may continue to pursue acquisitions of smaller chains that provide access to desirable geographic areas and experienced team members, such acquisitions are not expected to significantly impact our future store growth or financial results. We have a disciplined, opportunistic real estate strategy, opening stores in existing trade areas as well as new areas, including international locations.

16

Net cash used in financing activities totaled approximately $78 million for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 compared to approximately $410 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year.

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a 20% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.12 per common share. The following table provides a summary of dividends declared per common share during fiscal years 2014 and 2013 (in millions, except per share amounts):

Date of declaration	Dividend per common share		Date of record	Date of payment	Total amount
Fiscal year 2014:
November 1, 2013 (1)	$	0.12	January 17, 2014	January 28, 2014	$	45
Fiscal year 2013:
November 29, 2012	$	1.00	December 10, 2012	December 21, 2012	$	371
November 7, 2012	0.10		January 18, 2013	January 29, 2013	37
March 15, 2013	0.10		April 12, 2013	April 23, 2013	37
June 12, 2013	0.10		July 5, 2013	July 16, 2013	37
September 10, 2013	0.10		September 27, 2013	October 8, 2013	37

⁽¹⁾ Dividend accrued at January 19, 2014

The Company will pay future dividends at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. The continuation of these payments, the amount of such dividends, and the form in which dividends are paid (cash or stock) depend on many factors, including the results of operations and the financial condition of the Company. Subject to these qualifications, the Company currently expects to pay dividends on a quarterly basis.

The following table outlines the share repurchase programs authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors, and the related repurchase activity as of January 19, 2014 (in millions):

Authorization date	Expiration date	Amount authorized		Cost of repurchases		Authorization available
November 15, 2012	December 31, 2014	$	300	$	62	$	238
November 1, 2013	December 31, 2015	500		—		500
		$	800	$	62	$	738

Share repurchase activity for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 was as follows (in millions, except per share amounts):

	Number of common shares acquired	Average price per common share acquired		Total cost of common shares acquired
Fiscal year 2014:
First Quarter	1.1	$	56.06	$	62
Total fiscal year 2014	1.1	$	56.06	$	62
Fiscal year 2013:
First Quarter	0.5	$	46.04	$	26
Second Quarter	0.9	43.46		37
Third Quarter	0.5	51.83		25
Fourth Quarter	0.7	55.36		37
Total fiscal year 2013	2.6	$	48.70	$	125

Under the repurchase programs, purchases can be made from time to time using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases or purchases through a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, all in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable legal requirements. The specific timing, price and size of purchases will depend on prevailing stock prices, general economic conditions and market conditions, and other considerations. The repurchase programs do not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock and may be suspended or discontinued at any time at the Company’s discretion.

Net proceeds to the Company from the exercise of stock options by team members for the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014 totaled approximately $16 million compared to approximately $9 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year. The Company intends to keep its broad-based stock option program in place, but also intends to limit the number of shares granted in any one year so that annual earnings dilution from share-based payment expense will not exceed 10%. The Company believes this strategy

17

is best aligned with its stakeholder philosophy because it limits future earnings dilution from options and at the same time retains the broad-based stock option plan, which the Company believes is important to team member morale, its unique corporate culture and its success. At January 19, 2014 and September 29, 2013, approximately 42.5 million shares and 42.3 million shares of our common stock, respectively, were available for future stock incentive grants.

The Company is committed under certain capital leases for rental of certain equipment, buildings and land, and certain operating leases for rental of facilities and equipment. These leases expire or become subject to renewal clauses at various dates through 2054. The following table shows payments due by period on contractual obligations as of January 19, 2014 (in millions):

	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		More than 5 years
Capital lease obligations (including interest)	$	48	$	3	$	6	$	6	$	33
Operating lease obligations (1)	7,624		367		864		906		5,487
Total	$	7,672	$	370	$	870	$	912	$	5,520

⁽¹⁾ Amounts exclude taxes, insurance and other related expense

Gross unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties at January 19, 2014 totaled approximately $5 million. Although a reasonably reliable estimate of the period of cash settlement with respective taxing authorities cannot be determined due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the timing of future cash outflows associated with the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits, as of January 19, 2014, the Company does not expect tax audit resolution will reduce its unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months.

We periodically make other commitments and become subject to other contractual obligations that we believe to be routine in nature and incidental to the operation of the business. Management believes that such routine commitments and contractual obligations do not have a material impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our principal historical sources of liquidity have included cash generated by operations, available cash and cash equivalents, and short-term investments. Absent any significant change in market condition, we expect planned expansion and other anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the next 12 months will be funded by these sources. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will continue to generate cash flows at or above current levels or that other sources of capital will be available to us in the future.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Our off-balance sheet arrangements at January 19, 2014 consist of operating leases disclosed in the above contractual obligations table. We have no other off-balance sheet arrangements that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a material current or future effect on our consolidated financial statements or financial condition.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent accounting pronouncements are included in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, see Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2013. Our exposures to market risk have not changed materially since September 29, 2013.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Co-Chief Executive Officers (principal executive officers) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

18

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

19

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

From time to time we are a party to legal proceedings including matters involving personnel and employment issues, personal injury, intellectual property, product liability, acquisitions and other proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business which have not resulted in any material losses to date. Although management does not expect that the outcome in these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, litigation is inherently unpredictable. Therefore, we could incur judgments or enter into settlements of claims that could materially impact our results.

The Company evaluates contingencies on an ongoing basis and has established loss provisions for matters in which losses are probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal settlement liabilities are included in the “Other current liabilities” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We believe the recorded reserves in our consolidated financial statements are adequate in light of the probable and estimable liabilities.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2013.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

The following table provides information about the Company’s share repurchase activity during the sixteen weeks ended January 19, 2014.

Period (1)	Total number of shares purchased	Average price paid per share		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (2)	Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (2)
September 30, 2013 - October 27, 2013	—	$	—	—	346,694,066
October 28, 2013 - November 24, 2013	629,202	$	58.80	629,202	763,000,066
November 25, 2013 - December 22, 2013	—	$	—	—	763,000,066
December 23, 2013 - January 19, 2014	476,778	$	52.44	476,778	738,000,104
Total	1,105,980	$	56.06	1,105,980

⁽¹⁾  Periodic information is presented by reference to our fiscal periods during the first quarter of fiscal year 2014.

⁽²⁾ On November 2, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program in the amount of $200 million, of which approximately $47 million in remaining authorization expired on November 1, 2013. On November 15, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program whereby the Company may repurchase an amount of outstanding shares of common stock of the Company up to an aggregate amount of $300 million through December 31, 2014. On November 1, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program whereby the Company may repurchase an amount of outstanding shares of common stock of the Company up to an aggregate amount of $500 million through December 31, 2015. This repurchase program is in addition to, and does not supersede or modify, the Company’s previously authorized program. Under the repurchase programs, purchases can be made from time to time using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases or purchases through a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, all in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable legal requirements. The specific timing, price and size of purchases will depend on prevailing stock prices, general economic conditions and market conditions, and other considerations. The repurchase programs do not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock and may be suspended or discontinued at any time at the Company’s discretion.

20

Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit  31.1 (1)	Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a -14(a)
Exhibit  31.2 (1)	Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a - 14(a)
Exhibit  31.3 (1)	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a - 14(a)
Exhibit  32.1 (2)	Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
Exhibit  32.2 (2)	Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
Exhibit  32.3 (2)	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
Exhibit  101 (1)	The following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended January 19, 2014, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

⁽¹⁾  Filed herewith.

⁽²⁾  Furnished herewith.

21

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		WHOLE FOODS MARKET, INC.
Date:	February 21, 2014	By:	/s/ Glenda Flanagan
		Glenda Flanagan
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(Duly authorized officer and principal financial officer)

22