Thanks to responses by Whole Foods Market Team Members, FORTUNE magazine ranked the grocer on its “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for the 17th consecutive year. The nation’s leading natural and organic supermarket ranked No. 44 on the list, and is one of only 13 companies that have made the list every year since its inception in 1998.
“What makes us a successful company is our 80,000 team members who demonstrate their passion and dedication to the company’s mission each and every day,” said Walter Robb, Whole Foods Market co-CEO. “We believe that their happiness and health is essential, which is why we invest in their personal and professional growth. We encourage team members to seek out opportunities that fulfill their deeper purpose and celebrate individual creativity and potential.”
FORTUNE cited the company’s commitment to professional growth and development opportunities, including the Academy for Conscious Leadership and the freedom to pursue personal passions as reasons for making this year’s list. The company’s dedication to promoting health, which includes its Total Health Immersions and healthy eating incentive programs, were also highlighted.
Whole Foods Market ranked 12th out of the 41 large companies on the “Best Companies” list. Whole Foods Market was one of 12 Texas companies, and one of two in Austin, to make the list.
In 2013, the World Retail Congress named Whole Foods Market “Retailer of the Year.” The grocer also made the Ethisphere Institute’s “World’s Most Ethical Companies” list, as well as a Harris Interactive consumer opinion survey’s top 10 list for “Most Liked” and “Most Reputable” companies. Whole Foods Market received a James Beard Award for “Best Group Food Blog” for its darkrye.com e-magazine, and was ranked No. 1 on Greenpeace’s 2013 Seafood Retailer Scorecard.
The “100 Best Companies to Work For” list and related stories appear in the next issue of FORTUNE, which will be available on newsstands on Jan. 20 and at www.fortune.com.
Whole Foods Market has earned the following rankings on the same list in the past 17 years:
• 2014– No. 44
• 2013– No. 71
• 2012– No. 32
• 2011 – No. 24
• 2010 – No. 18
• 2009 – No. 22
• 2008 – No. 16
• 2007 – No. 5
• 2006 – No. 15
• 2005 – No. 30
• 2004 – No. 47
• 2003 – No. 32
• 2002 – No. 48
• 2001 – No. 41
• 2000 – No. 72
• 1999 – No. 48
• 1998 – No. 34
