CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 31, 2013) – Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM) announces it will open a second store in the Charlotte area near Lake Norman. The newest store in North Carolina for the natural and organic foods supermarket will occupy approximately 35,000 square feet of retail space. The new store is slated to open in late 2014.

Whole Foods Market's presence in the Charlotte area includes the current location on Sharon Road in SouthPark, which opened in August 2012. This is the 12th store in North Carolina.

“The Lake Norman area is robust with shoppers looking for healthy food options,” said Marc Mastropaolo, Executive Coordinator of Whole Foods Market South region. “The Charlotte area has proven to be a great market, and many customers have been asking when we plan to open farther north. We look forward to opening our doors in this community.”

Whole Foods Market features a fresh and enticing selection of natural foods in their purest state, free of artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, and preservatives as well as hydrogenated fats.  Whole Foods Market offers shoppers the highest quality, best-tasting and freshest foods in an inviting setting. Each store is unique and is designed to meet the needs of the neighborhoods where we live and work. Combine the great-tasting food with outstanding customer service and the result is a pleasantly atypical grocery shopping experience.