Austin, Texas – Whole Foods Market Inc. said its proposed purchase of Wild Oats Markets Inc. wouldn’t cause a significant change in the cost of groceries. The company’s analysis found that the average purchase at a Whole Foods store would increase 4 cents to $32.54 after Wild Oats exits a market. Whole Foods posted the data on its website Friday, saying it was from a presentation made to the Federal Trade Commission before the agency sued to block the combination.
The FTC has filed a lawsuit to prevent Whole Foods from acquiring Boulder-based Wild Oats, the second-largest natural-foods grocer after Whole Foods. The agency said the combined company would control too much of the market for natural and organic foods and harm competition.
Additional business news briefs:
LOS ANGELES
LAX carriers must pay contested fees
US Airways Group Inc., Southwest Airlines Co. and other carriers at Los Angeles International Airport must pay some of the fees they have been contesting, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said.
Peters upheld maintenance and operation fees adopted in December at the airport, her agency said Friday in a statement. Seven U.S. carriers and 21 foreign airlines filed complaints with Peters that the fees were discriminatory and excessive.
DENVER
St. Mary Land buys gas sites in Texas
St. Mary Land & Exploration Co. has acquired natural gas assets in south Texas for $29.5 million, according to a regulatory filing made Friday. The company made the acquisition with cash on hand and bank financing. The company also announced it will split its Gulf Coast operations into two separately managed regions.
DENVER
Xcel dropping gas, electricity rates
Xcel Energy announced a drop in electricity and gas rates that is expected to lower the average homeowner’s electricity bill by 9 percent and gas by about 18 percent.
In coordination with lower commodity costs, Xcel plans to decrease its rates effective July 1. The average residential electricity bill is supposed to decrease by $5.39 per month and the average business should see a drop of $8.85 per month.
