At the end of August, The Economist reported that Whole Foods Market completed it’s acquisition of Wild Oats Markets. At first glance, the question is .. so who cares? Well, Wild Oats is the American parent company of Capers Markets here in Vancouver, so now Capers is also a subsidiary of Whole Foods.

Here’s some background on the acquisition:

• The Economist – intially read it in their weekly quick scan in the print edition which is copied here
• MarketWatch – great synopsis of what happened, the cost of the $565 million acquisition
• Brand Autopsy – good insight on the conference call with Analysts

So, what does this mean for the denizens of Vancouver? Well, they now answer the phone as Capers Whole Foods, oh.. and they’re committed to continued growth according to their news release HERE. The West Vancouver store, home of the original Capers Cafe (which has been closed for a couple years now) will close permanently later this year in October. You can read it all after the jump.

Whole Foods Market Committed to Continued Growth in Vancouver Following Merger with Capers Community Markets’ Parent Company

by Capers Team

VANCOUVER, B.C. (September 25, 2007) – Whole Foods Market (Nasdaq: WFMI), the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, today announced its immediate commitment and plans for Whole Foods Market and Capers Community Markets in the Vancouver area. Whole Foods Market and the parent company of Capers Community Markets, –Wild Oats Markets of Boulder, Colorado—merged last month to offer shoppers an authentic and robust natural and organic foods shopping experience.

“Whole Foods Market is excited to further expand our presence here in the Vancouver market. Vancouver’s Capers and Whole Foods Market shoppers are very knowledgeable and passionate about natural and organic foods and we greatly appreciate their interest and loyalty. We are committed to providing Vancouverites with even better customer service and expanded local, natural and organic food selections in all of our Whole Foods Market and Capers stores,” said Whole Foods Market Regional President, Ron Megahan.

Whole Foods Market currently has one Vancouver-area flagship store at Park Royal Village on Marine Drive in West Vancouver; and has just begun to operate four Capers stores throughout the Vancouver area: 4th Avenue/Kitsilano, Robson Street, Cambie Street and Marine Drive in West Vancouver.

Whole Foods Market made the following announcements today regarding its ongoing commitment to the Vancouver market:

1. Construction of the new, 51,000 sq. ft. Whole Foods store at Cambie and Broadway is ongoing. The store is targeted to open in the winter of 2008, and will employ about 300 team members.
2. Whole Foods Market is committed to delivering a wider product selection and a more robust, authentic shopping experience at the Kitsilano, Robson and Cambie Capers locations. Both companies are thrilled to come together to satisfy and delight shoppers and offer a broader selection of products at lower prices, thanks to increased buying power.
3. Whole Foods Market expects to make significant investments in upgrading and improving the Capers Community Markets stores, and to expanding and providing the very best in natural, local and organic products in new neighbourhoods and marketplaces at a faster pace.
4. Capers’ West Vancouver store at 2496 Marine Drive will close on October 27. This closure was a very difficult decision. Capers had been trying to find a solution to address the deteriorating condition of this 22 year-old store, and considered many options, all of which proved to be cost prohibitive. The merger of Capers and Whole Foods Market will provide long-time West Vancouver customers with the same quality local, natural and organic goods and customer service they have grown accustomed to less than five minutes away at the Whole Foods Market store. Capers team members in West Vancouver have been offered continued employment within the Whole Foods Market/Capers family.
5. Over time, Vancouver shoppers will see some great products and services currently offered in Capers stores make their way into Whole Foods Market stores, branded as Capers products, and vice versa as a result of combining the best of both companies.

Whole Foods Market is committed to honouring and respecting Capers’ longstanding commitments to personalized customer service and competitive pricing. Capers Community Markets and Whole Foods Market have many shared values, and our customers and employees will benefit from our combined experience and commitment to quality.

About Whole Foods Market®

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) is the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket and America’s first national certified organic grocer. In fiscal year 2006, the company had sales of $5.6 billion and currently has more than 270 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Whole Foods Market motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures the company’s mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Whole Foods Market, Fresh & WildTM, and Harry’s Farmers Market® are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP. Wild Oats® and Capers Community MarketTM are trademarks owned by Wild Marks, Inc. Whole Foods Market employs more than 50,000 Team Members and has been ranked for ten consecutive years as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine.