Description of Business

12 Months Ended

Sep. 28, 2014

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Description of Business

Whole Foods Market is the leading retailer of natural and organic foods. The Company’s mission is to promote the vitality and well-being of all individuals by supplying the highest quality, most wholesome foods available. Through our growth, we have had a significant and positive impact on the natural and organic foods movement throughout the United States, helping lead the industry to nationwide acceptance over the last 36 years. As of September 28, 2014, we operated 399 stores: 381 stores in 42 United States (“U.S.”) states and the District of Columbia; 9 stores in Canada; and 9 stores in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”). The Company has one operating segment and a single reportable segment, natural and organic foods supermarkets.

The following is a summary of annual percentage sales and net long-lived assets by geographic area for the fiscal years indicated:



	2014		2013		2012
Sales:
United States	96.7	%	96.7	%	96.8	%
Canada and United Kingdom	3.3		3.3		3.2
Total sales	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%
Long-lived assets, net:
United States	96.0	%	95.7	%	95.2	%
Canada and United Kingdom	4.0		4.3		4.8
Total long-lived assets, net	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%

The following is a summary of annual percentage sales by product category for the fiscal years indicated:



	2014		2013		2012
Perishables:
Prepared foods and bakery	19.2	%	19.0	%	18.9	%
Other perishables	47.6		47.2		47.0
Total perishables	66.8		66.2		65.9
Non-perishables	33.2		33.8		34.1
Total sales	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%