CEO spoke of eliminating rivals
From Times Wire Services
Whole Foods Market Inc. Chief Executive John Mackey told his board that if it bought its leading rival, the company would “eliminate forever” the possibility that anyone else could create a nationwide competitor in the natural and organic grocery business, regulators say.
Federal Trade Commission lawyers reported Mackey’s comments in a request this month for a temporary injunction to block Whole Foods from buying Wild Oats Market. A federal judge approved the request.
A Whole Foods spokeswoman said the FTC took comments “absolutely out of context.”
