AUSTIN, Texas (December 9, 2003) Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFMI), the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket, has been named “International Retailer of the Year” by Foods from Britain (FFB), a market development organization that helps build international business opportunities for British food and drink manufacturers. The awards ceremony will occur on December 15 in London.
“Whole Foods Market is honored to receive this prestigious recognition and we are proud to be an innovative company seeking out the finest tasting highest quality products from around the globe,” said Betsy Foster, vice president of purchasing and distribution for Whole Foods Market. “As we establish a presence in the UK marketplace and continue to grow our relationships with vendor partners there, it is exciting to share more and more British products with our customer base in the United States and Canada.”
Whole Foods Market has been importing foods from the UK for many years to sell at its more than 155 stores in the United States and Canada. Whole Foods Market entered the UK market in 2004 with the acquisition of seven Fresh & Wild stores in London and is seeking further expansion opportunities.
