WHOLE FOODS PREDICTS LOSS, CUTBACK IN STORE OPENINGS

AUSTIN, Texas -- Executives at Whole Foods Market here last week said that earnings would fall below analysts' expectations for the year ending next September and that store openings would be cut back.

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Whole Foods executives were not available for further comment.

The natural foods chain said sales in new stores were below expectations.

In revealing the scaling back of store openings, the company said it will open six stores and close three, instead of opening nine and closing three.