Stock analyst Charles Grom of Sterne Agee said last month that he thinks “conditions are ideal for Whole Foods to go on an acquisition spree in 2015.” According to Supermarket News, he cited the growing number of competitors, the falling valuation of Whole Foods stock in recent years, and the company’s strong balance sheet.
Grom said acquisition candidates include Earth Fare (35-40 stores, mostly in the southeast) and Fairway Markets (17 stores in NY, NJ and CT).