Boulder – Whole Foods Market Inc., the largest U.S. natural-foods grocer, plans to close at least eight of the 110 Wild Oats Markets Inc. stores it bought for $565 million last week.
The final number will probably be closer to 10, co-chief operating officer Walter Robb said in an interview in New York on Friday. The food retailer plans to announce the final count by the end of the month.
Whole Foods executives have met with Wild Oats corporate employees and store workers regularly for two weeks since the merger was finalized.
Team members who work in Wild Oats stores will continue to work and keep their jobs, said Cathy Cochran-
Lewis, Whole Foods marketing director for the Rocky Mountain region.
Those who work in Wild Oats’ corporate offices in Boulder have been encouraged to apply for 40 jobs available at Whole Foods offices.
Additional business news briefs:
LOS ANGELES
Countrywide to cut up to 12,000 workers
Countrywide Financial, the nation’s largest home lender, said Friday it could cut as many as 12,000 jobs representing 20 percent of its workforce as a result of a massive slump in mortgage lending.
Jittery credit markets have forced the lender to fund mortgages from deposits made at its savings bank. The company expects a 25 percent drop in mortgage activity next year, a downturn Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozillo calls the worst in recent history.
HOUSTON
Inmate Skilling seeks a new trial
Imprisoned former Enron chief executive Jeffrey Skilling asked Friday for a new trial, saying the Justice Department used incorrect legal theories and “coercive and abusive tactics” to win a conviction, including threatening witnesses.
Skilling was sentenced last fall to more than 24 years in prison for his role in the collapse of Enron Corp.
Skilling reported to a federal prison in Minnesota in December.
VIENNA
OPEC output to hold, analysts say
Despite a wide range of factors buffeting world oil markets, analysts say OPEC will maintain its current output targets when oil ministers meet in Vienna this week.
That could change by year’s end, experts said, predicting that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will be forced to increase production if demand rises and prices edge closer to $80.
WHEAT RIDGE
Asian garden set for Olinger Cemetery
Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary and Cemetery will break ground this week on Colorado’s first feng shui-designed cemetery garden, Asian Paradise. The garden is dedicated to preserving and honoring the traditions and heritage of the Asian community.
The ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the southwest corner of the cemetery at 7777 West 29th Ave.
