Whole Foods has cancelled plans to open stores in Calgary and Edmonton and has delayed any likelihood it will grow to the 40 stores in Canada it once predicted. The organic and natural ingredient food chain says on its website that it has a total of 12 Canadian stores, five each in the Vancouver and Toronto areas (including Oakville) one in Ottawa and a new store that opened in Victoria in November. This does not include the store that is scheduled to open this Spring at 1860 Bayview Ave. The announcement makes it plain that the delay in opening at the Bayview-Broadway complex owned by RioCan is a result of Whole Foods business struggles in the U.S. Competition is great and WF has come under widespread media criticism for its high prices and sometimes doubtful value. Such products as Asparagus Water, although quickly withdrawn, were hurtful to the credibility of the firm.
