Wild Oats to Buy San Diego Chain

Wild Oats Markets Inc., the No. 2 natural foods supermarket chain, said it has agreed to acquire Henry’s Marketplace, which operates 11 natural foods markets in San Diego, in a stock swap valued at about $46 million. The deal is expected to close on Sept. 1. The Henry’s stores, which average about 18,000 square feet, will continue to operate under the Henry’s name. Wild Oats now operates 78 stores in 20 states, including California. Wild Oats Chief Executive Mike Gilliland said the new stores will add about $100 million in revenue next year, helping to push Boulder, Colo.-based Wild Oats close to the $1-billion mark in annual revenue. Wild Oats said its second-quarter profit from operations rose to $3.4 million, or 25 cents per share, from $2.8 million, or 21 cents, a year ago. That beat analysts’ expectations of 24 cents. Revenue rose to $135.3 million from $98.7 million. Wild Oats shares rose 50 cents to close at $34 on Nasdaq.