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As of June 29, 2002, the components of the accruals related to the Company's restructuring activities are accrued liabilities ($5.1 million) and other long-term obligations ($14.8 million).

6. Long-Term Debt

As of June 29, 2002, the Company was in violation of one financial covenant, a fixed charge coverage ratio for the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2002. The Company obtained a waiver of the violation of the covenant for the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2002, from all necessary lenders in exchange for a waiver fee of $75,000. As of June 29, 2002, there were $62.5 million in borrowings outstanding under the revolving facility and $33.8 million in borrowings outstanding under the term loan.  For the six months ended June 29, 2002, the Company recorded $1.3 million of income tax expense, primarily as a result of income before income taxes of $3.4 million during the period.

 

7. Income Taxes

The Company has a $23.3 million net deferred tax asset, primarily as a result of the $54.9 million of restructuring and asset impairment charges recorded during fiscal 2001. For the three months ended June 29, 2002, the Company recorded $860,000 of income tax expense, primarily as a result of income before income taxes of $2.4 million during the period. For the six months ended June 29, 2002, the Company recorded $1.3 million of income tax expense, primarily as a result of income before income taxes of $3.4 million during the period.  The recoverability of the net deferred tax asset is primarily dependent upon the Company generating sufficient taxable income in the future. Although realization of the net deferred tax asset is not assured, the Company believes it is more likely than not that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income in the future to realize the full amount of the deferred tax asset. The Company's assessment is based on projections that assume that the Company can maintain its current store contribution margin. Furthermore, the Company expects to maintain the aggregate sales growth experienced over the past five years, which would generate additional taxable income. The primary uncertainty related to the realization of the deferred tax asset is the Company's ability to achieve its four-year business plan and generate future taxable income to realize the full amount of the deferred tax asset. The Company believes that the sales, gross margin, store contribution margin, and selling, general and administrative expenses assumptions in its four-year business plan are reasonable and, more likely than not, attainable. The Company will continue to assess the recoverability of the net deferred tax asset, and to the extent it is determined in the future that a valuation allowance is required, it will be recognized as a charge to earnings at that time.

The Company has determined that it must amend its 1999, 2000 and 2001 tax returns to correct the reporting of deemed dividend income from a foreign subsidiary. Such determination was the result of an internal self-review and not the result of any tax audit by the Internal Revenue Service or other tax authority. The Company believes that such amended tax returns will not materially affect the consolidated results, liquidity or financial position of the Company, or have any impact on tax expense reported in financial statements for 1999, 2000 and 2001. The Company believes that it has sufficient net operating loss carryovers to carry back to such tax years in order to eliminate any additional tax liability, but expects that it will have liability for interest and potential penalties. Current estimates of total tax liability, interest and potential penalties is not more than approximately $400,000. The Company believes that it has sufficient reserves to cover any interest and potential penalties that may result from the amended returns. The Company intends to seek a waiver from the Internal Revenue Service for certain penalties; however, no assurance can be given that such waiver will be granted.

In May 2002, the Company's Board of Directors agreed to amend the Employment Agreement of Perry D. Odak, the Company's CEO and President, to extend through December 2002 the period during which the issuance by the Company of additional securities as part of an equity financing will entitle Mr. Odak to receive up to 300,000 stock options exercisable for the Company's common stock. This will allow Mr. Odak to maintain his 5% equity ownership in the Company. Mr. Odak was issued options to purchase 5,856 shares of common stock under a provision of his Employment Agreement that provided for the maintenance of his 5% equity position in the event of a capital-raising transaction and the determination that the issuance of 111,269 shares of common stock registered on Form S-3 filed in April 2002, under the terms of a settlement agreement resolving the lawsuit brought against the Company by former directors and co-founders Michael Gilliland and Elizabeth Cook, was properly categorized as a capital-raising transaction.  In August of 2002, the Company's Board of Directors approved a third amendment to Mr. Odak's Employment Agreement, pursuant to which up to 70,000 of the stock options to which Mr. Odak would be entitled under his Employment Agreement as a result of the closing of a capital raising transaction may be granted to other employees of the Company designated by Mr. Odak. The options would only be granted upon the closing of the capital raising transaction, have a 10-year term, vest over four years and have an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company's stock on the date the capital raising transaction was concluded. An equal number of options would be granted simultaneously to Mr. Odak; provided that the options granted to Mr. Odak would only be exercisable as the options granted to other employees terminated (as opposed to expired) without exercise. At the time the options are issued as proposed under the amendment to the Employment Agreement, a simultaneous matching grant by the Company of up to 70,000 additional options from the Company's 1996 Equity Incentive Plan will be made to the same employees. The Company may incur quarterly compensation expense, based on any increase in the then-current stock price over the exercise price, as a result of the issuance of the initial 70,000 options to the designated employees and Mr. Odak.

Effective June 29, 2002, the Company assigned its rights in the Employment Agreement, dated April 24, 2001, between the Company and Stephen Kaczynski to Sparky, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company also assigned its rights, effective June 29, 2002, in the Employment Agreement, dated December 17, 2001, between the Company and Edward Dunlap to Wild Oats Financial, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

Elizabeth C. Cook and Michael C. Gilliland, former executive officers and directors of the Company, each own a one-third interest in Pretty Good Groceries, Inc. ("PGG"), which in the past operated two grocery stores, and currently operates one store in Boulder, Colorado. Through January 2002, PGG purchased certain items through the Company's volume purchase discount programs with its distributors, and also purchased items from the Company's commissaries and warehouses at cost. The Company had a receivable

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 of approximately $80,000 at December 29, 2001 related to the purchases by PGG of goods from the Company or its suppliers. At December 29, 2001, the Company also had a receivable for certain personal expenses of Mr. Gilliland and Ms. Cook, the amount of which was in dispute. All receivables related to these items were paid as part of the settlement of litigation described below.

Ms. Cook and Mr. Gilliland are trustees of Wild Oats Community Foundation ("Foundation"), a non-profit organization formed by Ms. Cook and Mr. Gilliland to provide health-related services. During fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1999, the Foundation entered into sublease arrangements with the Company for space adjacent to three of the Company's stores leased by the Company. In fiscal 2001, the sublease obligations between the Foundation and the Company were terminated, and other subtenants were placed in two of the three wellness center locations. The third primary lease for space sublet by the Foundation expired by its own terms. The Company had a receivable related to subtenant rent due from the Foundation, which was paid as part of the settlement of the litigation described below.

In May 1998, PGG II, a limited liability company two-thirds owned by Mr. Gilliland and Ms. Cook, purchased a small underperforming store in Boulder, Colorado from the Company. PGG II paid the wholesale cost of the inventory in the store at time of transfer. PGG II disputed whether there was consideration due for equipment transferred to PGG II as part of the original purchase transaction, and the parties reached a settlement on the value of the equipment as part of the settlement of the litigation described below.

In January 2001, the Company borrowed $2.0 million from Ms. Cook and Mr. Gilliland. The loan was evidenced by a demand note that bears interest at 9.0% per annum and default rate interest at 15% per annum. Mr. Gilliland and Ms. Cook filed suit against the Company in January 2002 for payment of the note after demand was made, but payment was not received. In March 2002 the parties settled the litigation through execution of a settlement agreement under which the plaintiffs agreed to a $200,000 offset against the principal balance of the note in settlement of certain identified receivables alleged to be due to the Company. The Company made a $590,000 cash repayment of loan principal and agreed to repay the remaining principal balance of $1.2 million, together with interest at 9% per annum, over a five-month period with cash and by the issuance of equity securities. The Company issued 111,269 shares (after giving effect to certain adjustments pursuant to the settlement agreement) of common stock to Ms. Cook and Mr. Gilliland in March 2002, and filed a registration statement on Form S-3 to register the resale by Ms. Cook and Mr. Gilliland of those shares. As of May 9, 2002, all of the shares had been sold.

In fiscal 2000, the Company recorded a note receivable in the amount of approximately $75,000 from Bacchus Beverage Corporation, an entity owned by Patrick Gilliland, Mr. Gilliland's brother, which was a subtenant in excess space located adjacent to one of the Company's stores. In March 2002, the Company agreed to extinguish the remaining balance on the note in exchange for a $35,000 cash payment. 

On June 14, 2002, the Company entered into a new primary distribution agreement with Tree of Life, Inc. ("Tree of Life") as distributor. The distribution arrangement commences effective September 1, 2002, which is the date upon which the Company's existing primary distribution contract with United Natural Foods, Inc. expires. The new agreement has no specified term, although either party can terminate the agreement after three years upon 120 days' prior written notice to the other party. Either party also may terminate the agreement for defaults by the other party of certain provisions of the agreement. Under the terms of the new agreement, the Company is obligated to purchase 90% of its total cost of goods from specified categories of goods for sale in its U.S. stores from Tree of Life, except in certain defined circumstances when such percentage-purchasing obligation is excused. The Company currently purchases approximately 28.2% of its aggregate cost of goods for all product categories for all stores from its existing primary distributor. The Company believes Tree of Life has sufficient warehouse capacity and distribution technology to service the Company's existing stores' distribution needs for natural foods and products as well as the needs of new stores in the future. Upon expiration of the existing distribution agreement with the Company's current primary distributor, other than the agreement with Tree of Life, the Company will have no other supply contracts with the majority of its smaller vendors,

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 who could discontinue selling to Wild Oats at any time. Although the Company believes that it could develop alternative sources of supply, any such termination may create a short-term disruption in store-level merchandise selection. Any significant disruption in the supply of goods could have a material impact on our overall sales volume and cost of goods.

A transition fee is referenced in the Company's new distribution agreement with Tree of Life. The Company will use the transition fee to offset the transition costs incurred during the transition of the Company's primary distribution relationship to Tree of Life. These costs include, but are not limited to, the cost of retagging store shelves, modification of product inventory, disposal of discontinued products, resetting of products on store shelves and training of store personnel in new procedures, and legal and consulting expenses. A portion of the transition support fee received in the second quarter was used to defray transition expenses incurred, and had no material impact on the reported second quarter earnings.

In April 2000, the Company was named as defendant in S/H -Ahwatukee, LLC and YP- Ahwatukee LLC v. Wild Oats Markets, Inc., Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County, by a landlord alleging Wild Oats breached a continuous operations clause arising from the closure of a Phoenix, Arizona store. The landlord dismissed the same suit, filed in 1999, without prejudice in 1999, after the Company presented a possible acceptable subtenant, but subsequently rejected the subtenant. Plaintiff claimed $1.5 million for diminution of value of the shopping center plus accelerated rent, fees and $360,000 in attorneys' fees and costs. After trial in November 2001, the judge awarded the plaintiff $326,000 in damages and $210,000 in attorneys' fees and the Company has reserved such amounts. In April 2002 the plaintiffs filed a motion to alter or amend the judgment to increase the amount thereof to $1.1 million. The judge denied the motion. The plaintiffs have filed a notice of intent to file an appeal.

In October 2000 the Company was named as defendant in 3601 Group Inc. v. Wild Oats Northwest, Inc., Wild Oats, Inc. and Wild Oats Markets, Inc., a suit filed in Superior Court for King County, Washington, by a property owner who claimed that Alfalfa's Inc., our predecessor in interest, breached a lease in 1995 related to certain property in Seattle, Washington.  Plaintiff subsequently increased its damages claim from $377,000 to $2.4 million. Both parties filed motions for summary judgment. After hearing, the court denied the Company's motion and granted the plaintiff's motion, ruling that the Company had anticipatorily breached its lease obligations. A trial on damages was held in July 2002 and the jury awarded no damages, based on its determination that the plaintiff had benefited monetarily from our lease termination. The Company intends to seek an award of attorneys' fees.

In June 2002, the Company was named as a defendant in In Re Kava Kava Litigation, a class-action suit consolidated from three cases filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by plaintiffs alleging that most major grocery stores, including Wild Oats, and supplements manufacturers, distributed, manufactured, and/or sold kava-kava supplements without appropriate warnings that such may cause liver damage. Plaintiffs seek the removal of the products from the stores, the addition of certain warning labels before the products can be resold, and unspecified damages including disgorgement of profits from the sale of kava kava products. The Company has tendered defense of the suit to all its manufacturers of kava kava products, and a number have agreed to assume the defense on a pro-rata basis.  In August 2002, the court stayed the action, pending FDA review of the issue.

The Company also is named as defendant in various actions and proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In all of these cases, the Company is denying the allegations and is vigorously defending against them and, in some cases, has filed counterclaims. Although the eventual outcome of the various lawsuits cannot be predicted, it is management's opinion that these lawsuits will not result in liabilities that would materially affect the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

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This report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements regarding our future results of operations and performance. Important factors that could cause differences in results of operations include, but are not limited to, the Company's continued compliance with its credit facility covenants; the ability to raise additional equity financings; the timing and execution of new store openings, relocations, remodels, sales and closures; the timing and impact of the Fresh Look program; the impact of competition; changes in product supply or suppliers; changes in management information needs; changes in customer needs and expectations; governmental and regulatory actions; general industry or business trends or events; changes in economic or business conditions in general or affecting the natural foods industry in particular; and competition for and the availability of sites for new stores and potential acquisition candidates. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."

Marketing and Merchandising Initiatives and Operational Improvements. During the second quarter of fiscal 2002, we had a 9.6% increase in average weekly sales, a 6.1% increase in average weekly customer count and a 3.3% rise in average sales per customer chain-wide as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2001.  We believe that these improvements were primarily driven by continued positive customer response to our marketing and merchandising programs, including the Fresh Look program, and operational improvements at store level.  Our marketing and merchandising initiatives have been expanded to additional Wild Oats stores in Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio, Tennessee and Utah. To date, 60 of the 73 natural foods supermarket format stores in our chain have implemented these marketing programs, which are designed to drive greater awareness of Wild Oats and to increase customer traffic through weekly advertising circulars distributed to customers via newspaper inserts and direct mail.

Over the last twelve months, we instituted new programs to improve customer service and store-level execution. We also implemented inventory reduction programs, centralized product ordering to refocus store management energies on store-level operations, and reset store merchandise for customer convenience in many stores. We believe these programs also contributed to overall operational improvements that increased store sales, customer counts and average transaction sizes in the second quarter of fiscal 2002.

Comparable store sales results. Sales of a store are deemed to be comparable commencing in the thirteenth full month of operations for new, relocated and acquired stores. A variety of factors affect our comparable store sales results, including, among others:

• general economic conditions

• the opening of stores by us or by our competitors in markets where we have existing stores

• the relative proportion of new or relocated stores to mature stores

• the timing of advertising and promotional events

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• store remodels

• store closures

• our ability to effectively execute our operating plans

• changes in consumer preferences for natural foods products

• availability of produce and other seasonal merchandise.

Past increases in comparable store sales may not be indicative of future performance.

The farmers market format stores, which depend heavily on produce sales, are more susceptible to sales fluctuations resulting from the availability and price of certain produce items. As a result of marketing and merchandising initiatives, including the Fresh Look program, and operational improvements, and the closure of one weaker store, comparable store sales chain-wide increased by 5.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2002, as compared to 7.3% in the first quarter of fiscal 2002, 5.7% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001, 5.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2001, 3.9% in the second quarter of fiscal 2001, and 1.0% in the first quarter of fiscal 2001.  Expansion of our marketing and merchandising initiatives late in the second quarter and early in the third quarter of 2002, coupled with other marketing and merchandising initiatives planned in the second half of the year, are expected to increase comparable store sales between 5.5 percent and 7.0 percent for the remainder of the year. No new store openings are anticipated until early 2003.  There can be no assurance that comparable store sales for any particular period will not decrease in the future.

Store openings, closings, sales, remodels, relocations and acquisitions. In the second quarter of fiscal 2002, we opened one new store in Long Beach, California, and we closed one underperforming store in Cleveland, Ohio and the bakery operations of a support facility in Denver, Colorado. We also terminated the lease obligation for one location formerly used as a kitchen in Los Angeles, California. In the second quarter of fiscal 2001, we opened no new stores and we closed no stores.

The Company currently has an inventory of 15 vacant sites, not including those referenced below, comprising closed store, kitchen and warehouse locations and excess unoccupied space acquired during acquisitions or other leasing transactions, for which we have rent obligations; appropriate accruals have been made for such obligations. We are actively seeking subtenants or assignees for the spaces, although many of the sites are difficult to sublease or assign because of unusual site characteristics, surpluses of vacant retail space in the markets in which the sites are located, or because the remaining lease terms are relatively short. In the second quarter of fiscal 2002, we negotiated the early termination of one empty kitchen facility. We sublet one closed store location for the remaining lease term with a subsidy for the sublessee, and sublet another adjacent space. We negotiated a lease amendment with the landlord on space adjacent to an operating stores during the second quarter of fiscal 2002 and, as a result, our lease obligation for the space will terminate. We also entered into a contract for sale of one kitchen facility, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions to closing. The lease for one vacant site expired after the end of the quarter.

Our ability to increase the number of stores opened in fiscal 2003 and beyond may depend upon our ability to raise additional equity financings. In October 2001, we executed an amendment to our credit facility. As part of such amendment, our borrowings were limited to $125.0 million, and we agreed to restrictive covenants, including covenants regarding our ability to enter into new leases and to make certain capital expenditures. Absent additional equity funding, the limitations on capital expenditures did not allow us to complete and open in fiscal 2002 all of the stores for which we currently have signed leases; therefore, some openings were rescheduled into early fiscal 2003. We have proposed to raise $30.0 million or more in equity financings, and have executed confidentiality agreements with, made presentations to and provided due diligence to a number of interested parties. If the Company is successful in raising additional equity financing of $30.0 million or more, under the terms of the amended credit facility we will be allowed to increase the number of new leases we may execute and new stores we may open, based on the amount of equity financings raised and the format of the stores proposed to be opened. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources."

As has been our practice in the past, we will continue to evaluate the profitability, strategic positioning, impact of potential competition, and sales growth potential of all of our stores on an ongoing basis. We may, from time to time, make decisions regarding closures, disposals, relocations or remodels in accordance with such evaluations.

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Pre-opening expenses. Pre-opening expenses include labor, rent, advertising, utilities, supplies and certain other costs incurred prior to a store's opening. Historically, pre-opening expenses for natural foods supermarket format stores have averaged approximately $250,000 to $350,000 per store, and farmers market format stores have averaged approximately $75,000 per store, although the amount per store may vary depending on whether the store is the first to be opened in a market or is part of a cluster of stores in that market. As part of the Fresh Look advertising initiatives implemented by the Company, we expect that pre-opening expenses will increase to $400,000 per natural foods supermarket store, and $150,000 per farmers market store, as we boost grand opening and weekly advertising.

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Income. During the second quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company's management made certain decisions relating to the Company's operations which changed estimates of prior restructuring and asset impairment charges and resulted in net restructuring and asset impairment expense of $0. During the first quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company's management made certain decisions relating to the Company's operations which also changed estimates of prior restructuring and asset impairment charges and resulted in restructuring and asset impairment income of $652,000. See the Company's 2001 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2001 for a detailed discussion of restructuring and asset impairment charges during the last three years.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates. Our discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the continued appropriateness of our accounting policies and resulting estimates, including those related to:

• asset impairment charges
• restructuring charges and store closing costs
• allowance for bad debt
• inventory valuation and reserves
• self-insurance reserves
• reserves for contingencies and litigation
• goodwill valuation

The consolidation of our brands to increase synergy and awareness has resulted in a change to our goodwill accounting policy. During the second quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company recorded goodwill at the enterprise level to recognize goodwill for the brand, as opposed to past practice of recording goodwill at the store level. See Note 2, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. See also the Company's 2001 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended December 29, 2001, for disclosures of the remaining critical accounting policies that continue in existence unchanged from that annual period.

Continued improvement in gross margins, in conjunction with an expected reduction in direct store expenses and SG&A expenses as a percent of sales, is expected to translate into net earnings per diluted share of $0.08, and $0.10 to $0.11 in the third quarter and fourth quarter, respectively. Combined with net income of $2.2 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the first half of 2002, projected net earnings for the full year 2002 is expected to reach $0.27 to $0.28 per diluted share. Net earnings per share estimates provided above do not reflect the impact of any potential equity placement.

Our results of operations have been and will continue to be affected by, among other things:

• the number, timing and mix of store openings, acquisitions, relocations, remodels or closings
• availability of capital
• fluctuations in quarterly results of operations
• impact of merchandising and marketing initiatives, including the Fresh Look program, on store performance
• economic conditions

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• competition
• labor issues
• loss of key management
• government regulations
• changes in suppliers, distributors and manufacturers
• volatility in our stock price

New stores build their sales volumes and refine their merchandise selection gradually and, as a result, generally have lower gross margins and higher operating expenses as a percentage of sales than more mature stores. We anticipate that the new stores opened in fiscal 2002 and 2003 will experience operating losses for the first six to 12 months of operation, in accordance with historical trends.

Assuming the availability of funds in fiscal 2002 for capital expenditures, we will remodel certain of our older stores. Remodels and remerchandising typically cause short-term disruption in sales volume and related increases in certain expenses as a percentage of sales, such as payroll. We cannot predict whether sales disruptions and the related impact on earnings may be greater in time or volume than projected in future remodeled or remerchandised stores.

The construction or acquisition of new stores, remodeling of existing stores, as well as completion of capital purchases of new technology systems required for efficient operation of our business require substantial capital expenditures. In the past, our capital expenditures have been funded by cash generated from operations, bank debt and equity financing proceeds. These sources of capital may not be available to us in the future; in addition, our existing credit agreement contains limitations on our ability to make capital expenditures that may constrain future growth without additional equity financings. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources."

Our quarterly results of operations may differ materially from quarter to quarter for a variety of reasons, including the timing and success of new store openings, overall store performance, changes in the economy, seasonality and the timing of holidays, significant increases or decreases in prices for or availability of goods and services, competitive pressure and labor disturbances, as well as other factors mentioned in this section.

As discussed above, we have implemented the Fresh Look program and other merchandising and marketing initiatives in additional natural foods supermarket format stores in fiscal 2002. There can be no assurances that these programs will be successful in those stores, nor that the cost of program roll-out will be at or below the costs incurred in fiscal 2001.

Downturns in general economic conditions in communities, states, regions or the nation as a whole can affect our results of operations. While purchases of food generally do not decrease in a slower economy, consumers may choose less expensive alternative sources for food purchases. In addition, downturns in the economy make the disposition of excess properties, for which the Company continues to pay rent and other carrying costs, substantially more difficult as the markets become saturated with vacant space and market rents decrease.

As mentioned previously, we compete with both natural foods and conventional grocers. As competition in certain markets intensifies, our results of operations may be negatively impacted through loss of sales, reduction in margin from competitive price modifications, and disruptions in our employee base.

From time to time, unions will attempt to organize employees or portions of the employee base at stores or our distribution or manufacturing facilities. Responses to organization attempts require substantial management and employee time and are disruptive to operations. In addition, from time to time certain of our stores may be subject to informational picketing, which can discourage customer traffic and lower sales volumes. Our ability to attract, hire and retain qualified employees at store and home-office levels is critical to our continued success.

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Our future direction and success is dependent in large part on the continued services of certain key executive officers. Loss of any key officer may have an adverse affect on current operations and future growth programs.

We are subject to a myriad of local, state and federal regulations governing the operation of our stores and support facilities, including licensing laws governing the sale of particular categories of products, health and sanitation laws, laws governing the manufacture, labeling and importation of private label products, labor laws controlling wages, benefits and employment conditions of our employees and advertising regulations governing the manner in which we may advertise products we sell. In addition, in the fall of 2002, the National Organic Standards, a comprehensive program of regulations governing the growing, production, handling and sale of goods advertised as "organic", will be fully implemented. Consumer and regulatory concerns regarding food safety issues, new technology or competitive pressures may trigger modifications in existing laws and the implementation of new laws governing components of our business operations. Such modifications can have a material impact on our sales volume, costs of goods and direct store expenses. Modification of such laws may also impact the vendors and manufacturers who provide goods and services to us, raising the cost of such items or decreasing their availability. In addition, from time to time we are audited by various governmental agencies for compliance with existing laws, and we could be subject to fines or operational modifications as a result of noncompliance.

On June 14, 2002, the Company entered into a new primary distribution agreement with Tree of Life, Inc. ("Tree of Life") as distributor. The distribution arrangement commences effective September 1, 2002, which is the date upon which our existing primary distribution contract with United Natural Foods, Inc. expires. The new agreement has no specified term, although either party can terminate the agreement after three years upon 120 days' prior written notice to the other party. Either party also may terminate the agreement for defaults by the other party of certain provisions of the Agreement. Under the terms of the new agreement, we are obligated to purchase 90% of our total cost of goods from specified categories of goods for sale in our U.S. stores from Tree of Life, except in certain defined circumstances when such percentage purchasing obligation is excused. The Company currently purchases approximately 28.2% of its aggregate cost of goods for all product categories for all stores from its existing primary distributor. We believe Tree of Life has sufficient warehouse capacity and distribution technology to service the Company's existing stores' distribution needs for natural foods and products as well as the needs of new stores in the future. Upon expiration of the existing distribution agreement with our current primary distributor, other than the agreement with Tree of Life, we will have no other supply contracts with the majority of our smaller vendors, who could discontinue selling to Wild Oats at any time. Although we believe that we could develop alternative sources of supply, any such termination may create a short-term disruption in store-level merchandise selection. Any significant disruption in the supply of goods could have a material impact on our overall sales volume and cost of goods.

We received a transition fee as a part of the new distribution agreement with Tree of Life. We will use the transition fee to offset the transition costs incurred during the transition of the Company's primary distribution relationship to Tree of Life. These costs include, but are not limited to, the cost of retagging store shelves, modification of product inventory, disposal of discontinued products, resetting of products on store shelves and training of store personnel in new procedures, and legal and consulting expenses. A portion of the transition fee received was used to defray transition expenses incurred in the second quarter, but had no material impact on reported second quarter earnings.

Our stock price has been and continues to be fairly volatile. Our stock price is affected by our quarterly and year-end results, results of our major competitors and suppliers, general market and economic conditions and publicity about our competitors, our vendors, our industry or us. Volatility in our stock price may affect our future ability to raise proceeds from equity financings, renegotiate our existing credit agreement or enter into a new borrowing relationship, or affect our ability to obtain new store sites on favorable economic terms.

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The following table sets forth for the periods indicated, certain selected income statement data expressed as a percentage of sales.

Sales. Sales for the three months ended June 29, 2002, increased 3.0% to $236.2 million from $229.4 million in the same period in fiscal 2001. Sales for the six months ended June 29, 2002, increased 4.5% to $469.2 million from $448.9 million in the same period in fiscal 2001. The increases were primarily attributed to improvements in same-store sales resulting from the positive impact of the Fresh Look program and overall operational improvements. Comparable store sales increased 5.2% for the second quarter of fiscal 2002 from a 7.3% increase in the first quarter of fiscal 2002, as compared to a 3.9% increase in the second quarter of fiscal 2001, due to operational improvements in a number of stores; the implementation of new marketing programs, including the Fresh Look program, in selected regions; and one store closure. We are proposing additional Fresh Look rollouts in the remainder of fiscal 2002.

Gross Profit. Gross profit for the three months ended June 29, 2002 increased 7.6% to $71.4 million from $66.4 million in the same period in fiscal 2001. Gross profit for the six months ended June 29, 2002 increased 4.7% to $139.1 million from $132.8 million in the same period in fiscal 2001. As a percentage of sales, gross profit increased to 30.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2002 from 28.9% in the same period in fiscal 2001 due primarily to lower occupancy costs, which were partially offset by lower merchandise margins resulting from the implementation of the Fresh Look program and a shift in sales mix between store formats. Excluding one-time charges of $2.4 million related to increased inventory reserves during the second quarter of fiscal 2001, gross profit increased to 30.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2002 from 30.0% in the second quarter of fiscal 2001. As the Company implements certain strategic initiatives that include the lowering of prices in selected stores, or in selected regions, gross profit in the remainder of fiscal 2002 may be negatively affected by lower margins on certain items.

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Direct Store Expenses. Direct store expenses for the three months ended June 29, 2002 decreased 6.3% to $51.5 million from $55.0 million in the same period in fiscal 2001, and for the six months ended June 29, 2002 decreased 4.4% to $101.9 million from $106.6 million in the same period in fiscal 2001. As a percentage of sales, direct store expenses decreased to 21.8% in the second quarter of fiscal 2002 from 24.0% in the same period in fiscal 2001. The decreases are primarily due to the reduction of store-level marketing expenses and other cost containment measures. Direct store expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2001 included $1.8 million of one-time charges related to employee benefits expenses and bad debt reserves. Excluding such one-time charges, direct store expenses as a percentage of sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2001 were 23.2%.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 29, 2002 increased 10.4% to $14.8 million from $13.4 million in the same period in fiscal 2001, and for the six months ended June 29, 2002 increased 18.3% to $28.9 million from $24.5 million in the same period in fiscal 2001. Selling, general and administrative expenses included one-time charges related to strategic repositioning activities of $800,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2001 and $1.6 million in the first half of fiscal 2001. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 6.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2002 from 5.8% in the same period in fiscal 2001; excluding the one-time charges, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 5.5% in the second quarter of fiscal 2001. The increases are attributable to severance costs for former employees, recruiting and relocation costs, as well as increases in advertising and merchandising expenses related to the Fresh Look program. Based on the first six months' results, we have increased our projected level of selling, general and administrative expenses for the remainder of fiscal 2002 and the first quarter of fiscal 2003, and now expect that annualized selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales will be approximately 6.0% for at least the next nine to 12 months until such time as sales increase to leverage the expenses as a percentage of sales. The increases in selling, general and administrative expenses attributable to the expanded advertising program are expected to remain constant per store in the future.

Pre-Opening Expenses. Pre-opening expenses for the three months ended June 29, 2002 increased to $645,000 compared to $85,000 during the same period in fiscal 2001, and for the six months ended June 29, 2002 decreased 33.1% to $1.0 million from $1.5 million in the same period in fiscal 2001. As a percentage of sales, pre-opening expenses decreased to 0.2% in the first half of fiscal 2002 from 0.3% in the same period in fiscal 2001, due to the opening of one new store in the first half of fiscal 2002 as compared to the opening of four new stores in the first half of fiscal 2001. As part of the Company's increase in marketing efforts relating to the Fresh Look program, we anticipate that pre-opening expenses for new natural foods supermarket stores will increase from an estimated $250,000 historically to an estimated $400,000 per new store, and those of the farmers market format will increase from $75,000 historically to an estimated $150,000 in the future.

Interest Expense, Net. Net interest expense for the three months ended June 29, 2002 decreased 22.0% to $2.2 million from $2.8 million in the same period in fiscal 2001, and for the six months ended June 29, 2002 decreased 15.7% to $4.4 million from $5.2 million in the same period in fiscal 2001 due to decreased borrowings during the six-month period. As part of the October 2001 amendment to our credit facility, our revolving line interest rates on prime-based and LIBOR-based loans are prime plus 2.25% and one-month LIBOR plus 3.75%, respectively, both increasing by 0.5% each June 30 and January 1 through January 1, 2003 when the rate will remain constant through the maturity date of August 1, 2003. Due to the current state of the U.S. economy, management believes that the variable interest rates will remain constant during the next six to 12 months. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources" below.

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Income. During the second quarter of fiscal 2002, we recorded restructuring expense of $0, consisting of the following significant components:

• Change in estimate related to fixed asset impairments for sites previously identified for closure or sale ($35,000 of restructuring expense). During the second quarter of fiscal 2002, we determined that these fixed assets were not compatible with a new store design. Due to the new store design, such assets could not be relocated as contemplated under the original restructuring plan. As a result, we determined we could not recover the previously estimated carrying value of these assets, and therefore recognized an impairment charge of approximately $170,000 during the second quarter of fiscal 2002. Additionally, during the second quarter of fiscal 2002, we determined that we could partially recover the carrying value of certain fixed assets used in store front-end operations that were previously written off; therefore, we partially reversed the restructuring charge previously recorded for these fixed asset impairments and recognized restructuring income of approximately $135,000 during the second quarter of fiscal 2002.

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• Change in estimate related to lease-related liabilities for sites previously identified for closure or sale ($678,000 of restructuring income). During the second quarter of fiscal 2002, we negotiated the early termination of a lease of property at which we had operated a kitchen in Los Angeles, California. Also during the quarter, we subleased a closed location in Hartford, Connecticut for the remaining lease term and provided a subsidy for the sublessee; the previously estimated lease-related liabilities in excess of the subsidy were reversed. Additionally, we subleased a site in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for the remaining lease term and consequently reversed the previously estimated lease-related liabilities. For space adjacent to our operating store in West Hartford, Connecticut, we negotiated a lease amendment with the landlord during the second quarter of fiscal 2002 and, as a result, will be removed from the lease in the first quarter of fiscal 2003; we reversed the excess lease-related liabilities previously recorded. Due to these changes in facts and circumstances and the related changes in estimates, we recorded restructuring income during the second quarter of fiscal 2002.

• Fixed asset impairments for one additional store identified in the second quarter of fiscal 2002 to be closed during the third quarter of fiscal 2002 ($131,000 of restructuring expense). During the second quarter of fiscal 2002, we decided to close one store in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 due to failure to extend the lease term with the landlord. The assets will be disposed by the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2002.

• Fixed asset impairments for store construction project discontinuation ($370,000 of restructuring expense). During the second quarter of fiscal 2002, we determined that a new store design was required and construction of new stores based on the previously developed designs would be abandoned to incorporate the new store design changes. Assets in this charge included abandoned construction in progress (primarily leasehold improvements). We determined that we could not recover the carrying value of these fixed assets, and therefore recognized an impairment charge and disposed of the assets during the second quarter of fiscal 2002.

• Severance for employees terminated during the second quarter of fiscal 2002 ($142,000 of restructuring expense). During the second quarter of fiscal 2002, 65 employees were terminated in conjunction with the closure of one store in Cleveland, Ohio and the closure of the bakery operations within one support facility in Denver, Colorado during the quarter. The employees were notified of their involuntary termination during the second quarter of fiscal 2002. As of June 29, 2002, $100,000 of involuntary termination benefits had been paid to terminated employees; the remaining benefits of $42,000 will be paid during the third quarter of fiscal 2002.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2002, we recorded restructuring income of $652,000. Details of the significant components are as follows:

• Change in estimate related to lease-related liabilities for sites previously identified for closure or sale that were closed, sold or disposed of during the first quarter of fiscal 2002 ($761,000 of restructuring income). During the first quarter of fiscal 2002, we sold one store in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The purchaser assumed the lease-related obligations associated with this store. Based on this change in facts and circumstances, we reversed the remaining lease-related liabilities previously recorded for this store and therefore recognized restructuring income of $649,000 during the first quarter of fiscal 2002. During the first quarter of fiscal 2002, we also concluded payments for terminated lease obligations for sites in Boca Raton, Florida; Santa Fe, New Mexico and Framingham, Massachusetts; based on this change in facts and circumstances, we reversed the remaining lease-related liabilities previously recorded for these stores and therefore recognized restructuring income of $112,000 during the first quarter of fiscal 2002.

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• Gain on sale of assets for site sold during the first quarter of fiscal 2002 ($253,000 of restructuring income). During the first quarter of fiscal 2002, we sold one store in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The sale agreement included payment for fixed assets. Based on this change in facts and circumstances, we recorded the gain on the sale of the fixed assets and reversed the fixed asset reserves previously recorded for this store and therefore recognized restructuring income of $253,000 during the first quarter of fiscal 2002.

• Change in estimate related to lease-related liabilities for sites previously identified for closure ($93,000 of restructuring expense). During the first quarter of fiscal 2002, we determined the likelihood of securing a subtenant for certain space in Tempe, Arizona was now remote due to our obligation being at above-market rates, the unattractive site characteristics, and increasingly difficult real estate market conditions. With this change in facts and circumstances, we decided to fully reserve for the remaining lease obligations of the site and therefore recognized a restructuring charge of $93,000 during the first quarter of fiscal 2002.

• Severance for employees terminated during the first quarter of fiscal 2002 ($269,000 of restructuring expense). During the first quarter of fiscal 2002, 103 employees were terminated in conjunction with the closure of two stores in Boca Raton, Florida and Chesterfield, Missouri during the first quarter of fiscal 2002. The employees were notified of their involuntary termination during the first quarter of fiscal 2002. As of June 29, 2002, $269,000 of involuntary termination benefits had been paid to terminated employees.

A summary of restructuring activity by store count is as follows:

Income Tax Expense. For the three months ended June 29, 2002, we recorded $860,000 of income tax expense, primarily as a result of income before income taxes of $2.4 million during the period. . For the six months ended June 29, 2002, we recorded $1.3 million of income tax expense, primarily as a result of income before income taxes of $3.4 million during the period.  The recoverability of the net deferred tax asset is primarily dependent upon the Company generating sufficient taxable income in the future. Although realization of the net deferred tax asset is not assured, we believe it is more likely than not that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income in the future to realize the full amount of the deferred tax asset. Our assessment is based on projections that assume that the Company can maintain its current store contribution margin. Furthermore, we expect to maintain the sales growth experienced over the past five years that would generate additional taxable income. The primary uncertainty related to the realization of the deferred tax asset is the Company's ability to achieve its four-year business plan and generate future taxable income to realize the full amount of the deferred tax asset. We believe that the sales, gross margin, store contribution margin, and selling, general and administrative expenses assumptions in our four-year business plan are reasonable and, more likely than not, attainable. We will continue to assess the recoverability of the net deferred tax asset and to the extent it is determined in the future that a valuation allowance is required, it will be recognized as a charge to earnings at that time.

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Our primary sources of capital have been cash flow from operations (which includes inventory and trade payables), bank indebtedness, and the sale of equity securities. Primary uses of cash have been the financing of new store development, new store openings, relocations, remodels and acquisitions and repayment of debt.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $23.8 million during the first six months of fiscal 2002 as compared to $20.1 million during the same period in fiscal 2001. Cash from operating activities increased during this period primarily due to an increase in net income before depreciation and amortization expense and changes in working capital items. We have not required significant external financing to support inventory requirements at our existing and new stores because we have been able to rely on vendor financing for most of the inventory costs, and we anticipate that vendor financing will continue to be available for new store openings.

Net cash used in investing activities was $4.6 million during the first six months of fiscal 2002 as compared to $15.3 million during the same period in fiscal 2001. The decrease is due to a reduction in capital expenditures related to new store construction and remodels.

Net cash used in financing activities was $25.3 million during the first six months of fiscal 2002 as compared to $2.7 million used in financing activities during the same period in fiscal 2001. The increase reflects $26.0 million in debt repayments and $590,000 in partial repayment of a related-party note, partially offset by proceeds from stock option exercises.

We have a net deferred tax asset of $23.3 million on our balance sheet, primarily as a result of $54.9 million of restructuring and asset impairment charges recorded during fiscal 2001. The net deferred tax asset will reduce cash required for payment of federal and state income taxes, as we believe we will generate sufficient taxable income for realization of the asset in the future.  The Company has determined that it must amend its 1999, 2000 and 2001 tax returns to correct the reporting of deemed dividend income from a foreign subsidiary. Such determination was the result of an internal self-review and not the result of any tax audit by the Internal Revenue Service or other tax authority. The Company believes that such amended tax returns will not materially affect the consolidated results, liquidity or financial position of the Company, or have any impact on tax expense reported in financial statements for 1999, 2000 and 2001. The Company believes that it has sufficient net operating loss carryovers to carry back to such tax years in order to eliminate any additional tax liability, but expects that it will have liability for interest and potential penalties. Current estimates of total tax liability, interest and potential penalties is not more than approximately $400,000. The Company believes that it has sufficient reserves to cover any interest and potential penalties that may result from the amended returns. The Company intends to seek a waiver from the Internal Revenue Service for certain penalties; however, no assurance can be given that such waiver will be granted.

As of June 29, 2002, we were in violation of one financial covenant, a fixed charge coverage ratio for the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2002. We obtained a waiver of the violation of the covenant for the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2002, from all necessary lenders under the credit facility, in exchange for a waiver fee of $75,000.

The Company is proposing to raise $30.0 million or more in an offering of the Company's equity to provide additional liquidity, although such equity financing is not a requirement of the amended credit facility. On June 7, 2002, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-3 to register the Company for offer and sale 3.25 million shares of the Company's common stock in connection with such placement, in addition to 1.2 million shares previously registered. The Company engaged JP Morgan Securities Inc. to act as the advisor to the Company in any equity financing, for which JP Morgan Securities will receive compensation of up to 5% of any financing consummated by the Company. JP Morgan Securities Inc. is affiliated with J.P. Morgan Partners (SBIC), LLC, which holds approximately 9.4% of our outstanding common stock.

We maintain an interest rate risk management strategy, which is required by our amended credit facility terms, that uses derivative instruments to minimize significant, unanticipated earnings fluctuations that may arise from volatility in interest rates. The Company's specific goals are to (1) manage interest rate sensitivity by modifying the repricing or maturity characteristics of some of its debt and (2) lower (where possible) the cost of its borrowed funds. In accordance with the Company's interest rate risk management strategy, and in accordance with the requirements of our credit facility, the Company has entered into a swap agreement to hedge the interest rate on $37.5 million of its borrowings. The swap agreement locks in a one-month LIBOR rate of 6.6% and expires on August 1, 2003.

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Capital Expenditures. We spent approximately $4.6 million during the first six months of fiscal 2002 for new store construction, development, remodels and other capital expenditures, exclusive of acquisitions. Capital expenditures originally planned for certain of the stores rescheduled to open in fiscal 2002 were incurred commencing in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001. The aggregate amount to construct all five originally scheduled stores was originally estimated at $15.0 million to $20.0 million, but may be revised downward as part of our comprehensive review of the business operations and strategic plan. We have terminated one store's lease obligations. Our average capital expenditures to open a leased store, including leasehold improvements, equipment and fixtures, have ranged from approximately $2.0 million to $5.0 million historically, excluding inventory costs and initial operating losses. As part of our reexamination of our operating strategies, we anticipate that the average capital expenditures to open a natural foods supermarket format store will be $2.5 million to $4.0 million in the future, partly because of our decision to reduce the size or simplify the format of our food service department in new stores, as well as our decision not to increase store size in the majority of geographic areas. Our average capital expenditures to open a farmers market format store are estimated at $1.5 million to $2.25 million in the future. Delays in opening new stores may result in increased capital expenditures and increased pre-opening costs for the site, as well as lower than planned sales for the Company. Under our amended credit facility, we are limited in our new store capital expenditures to an aggregate $3.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2002 for the first six months, and an aggregate $3.2 million in the third quarter. Proceeds from any equity offering in excess of $30.0 million may be used to increase our total allowable level of capital expenditures by $4.0 million per natural foods supermarket format store and $2.25 million per farmers market format store. If we are successful in raising the additional equity financing, we plan to use the equity proceeds to complete the early construction of two stores in fiscal 2002 and execute leases for and commence capital expenditures on up to 15 new stores through fiscal 2003. Although there can be no assurance that actual capital expenditures will not exceed anticipated levels, we believe that cash generated from operations and available under our existing credit facility will be sufficient to satisfy our budgeted capital expenditure requirements through the remainder of fiscal 2002.

The cost of initial inventory for a new store is approximately $300,000 to $800,000 depending on the store format; however, we obtain vendor financing for most of this cost. Pre-opening costs currently are approximately $250,000 to $350,000 per store and are expensed as incurred. Pre-opening costs for natural foods supermarket format stores in the future are projected to increase from $250,000 to $400,000 per store, and pre-opening costs for farmers market format stores are projected to increase from $75,000 to $150,000, as a result of increased advertising for new stores. The amounts and timing of such pre-opening costs will depend upon the availability of new store sites and other factors, including the location of the store and whether it is in a new or existing market for us, the size of the store, and the required build-out at the site. Costs to acquire future stores, if any, are impossible to predict and could vary materially from the cost to open new stores. There can be no assurance that actual capital expenditures will not exceed anticipated levels, although our amended credit facility contains aggregate limits on the amounts of capital expenditures we may make. We believe that cash generated from operations and available under our existing credit facility will be sufficient to satisfy our budgeted cash requirements through fiscal 2002.

This Report on Form 10-Q contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve known and unknown risks. Such forward-looking statements include statements as to the Company's plans to open, acquire or relocate additional stores; the anticipated performance of such stores; the impact of competition and current economic uncertainty; the sufficiency of funds to satisfy the Company's cash requirements through the remainder of fiscal 2002, our expectations for comparable store sales; the impact of changes resulting from further implementation of our Fresh Look merchandising, advertising and pricing program; levels of cannibalization; expected pre-opening expenses and capital expenditures; and other statements containing words such as "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "may," "intends" and words of similar import or statements of management's opinion. These forward-looking statements and assumptions involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, market performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause differences in results of operations include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to conclude an equity financing; the timing and success of the continued implementation of the Fresh Look program; 

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the timing and execution of new store openings, relocations, remodels, sales and closures; the impact of competition; changes in product supply or suppliers; changes in management information needs; changes in customer needs and expectations; governmental and regulatory actions; general industry or business trends or events; changes in economic or business conditions in general or affecting the natural foods industry in particular; and competition for and the availability of sites for new stores and potential acquisition candidates. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this Report.

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In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to fluctuations in interest rates and the value of foreign currency. The Company employs various financial instruments to manage certain exposures when practical.

The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk. The Company owns and operates three natural foods supermarkets and a commissary kitchen in British Columbia, Canada. The commissary supports the three Canadian stores and does not independently generate sales revenue. Sales made from the Canadian stores are made in exchange for Canadian dollars and are subject to exchange rate fluctuations between the two currencies. To the extent that cash is repatriated to the United States, the amounts repatriated are subject to the exchange rate fluctuations between the two currencies. The Company does not hedge against this risk because of the small amounts of funds at risk.

The Company's exposure to interest rate changes is primarily related to its variable rate debt issued under its $125.0 million revolving credit facility. The facility has two separate lines of credit, a revolving line of up to $86.2 million and a term loan of up to $38.8 million, each with a three-year term expiring August 1, 2003. As part of the October 2001 amendment of the credit facility, which had an original credit capacity of $157.5 million, borrowings under the credit facility have been limited to $125.0 million. As of June 29, 2002, there were $62.5 million in borrowings outstanding under the $86.2 million revolving line of this facility and $33.8 million in borrowings outstanding under the $38.8 million term note. As part of the amendment to the credit facility, the interest rate on the facility was amended to either prime plus 2.25% or one-month LIBOR plus 3.75%, at our election, and the rates increase by 0.5% starting January 1, 2002 and each six months thereafter through January 2003. Because the interest rates on these facilities are variable, based upon the prime rate or LIBOR, the Company's interest expense and net income are affected by interest rate fluctuations. If interest rates were to increase or decrease by 100 basis points, the result, based upon the existing outstanding debt as of June 29, 2002, would be an annual increase or decrease of approximately $963,000 in interest expense and a corresponding decrease or increase of approximately $605,000 in the Company's net income after taxes.

In September 2000, as required by the Company's credit facility, the Company entered into an interest rate swap to hedge its exposure on variable rate debt positions. Variable rates are predominantly linked to LIBOR as determined by one-month intervals. The interest rate provided by the swap on variable rate debt is 6.6%. At June 29, 2002, the notional principal amount of the interest rate swap agreement was $37.5 million, expiring on August 1, 2003. The notional amount is the amount used for the calculation of interest payments that are exchanged over the life of the swap transaction on the amortized principal balance. In the second quarter of fiscal 2002, the loss, net of taxes, included in other comprehensive loss for this cash flow hedge was approximately $303,000.

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Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

The Company and plaintiffs Michael C. Gilliland and Elizabeth C. Cook entered into a settlement agreement on March 21, 2002, pursuant to which, in the second quarter of 2002, the Company issued an aggregate of 111,269 shares (after giving effect to certain adjustments specified in the settlement agreement) of common stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company. The shares were issued in payment of an aggregate of $1.2 million in principal and accrued interest on a promissory note issued by the Company in January 2001 in exchange for cash.

The issuance of the shares to Mr. Gilliland and Ms. Cook was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(2) of such Act, as a transaction by the Company not involving any public offering. Mr. Gilliland and Ms. Cook founded the Company, and were officers and served on the Company's Board of Directors until their resignations in 2001. Mr. Gilliland and Ms. Cook owned in excess of 5% of the Company's common stock at the time of issuance. Resale of the shares by Mr. Gilliland and Ms. Cook was registered by the Company pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-85908). Mr. Gilliland and Ms. Cook may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the resale of the shares issued to them pursuant to the settlement agreement.  In connection with the foregoing, Mr. Odak was issued options to purchase 5,856 shares of common stock under a provision of his Employment Agreement that provided for the maintenance of his 5% equity position in the event of a capital-raising transaction.

None.

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At the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on May 7, 2002, the Company's stockholders elected each of the following directors for a three-year term: David L. Ferguson and James B. McElwee. The following number of votes elected the directors:

The remaining directors whose terms continue after the meeting date are John A. Shields, David Chamberlain, Brian Devine, Mo Siegel and Perry D. Odak.

The Company's stockholders ratified the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants for the Company for its fiscal year ended December 28, 2002. The shareholders voted for the ratification by the following number of votes:

Not applicable.

10.1      Second Amendment to Employment Agreement between Wild Oats Markets, Inc. and Perry D. Odak, dated June 19, 2002.

10.2      Third Amendment to Employment Agreement between Wild Oats Markets, Inc. and Perry D. Odak, dated August 12, 2002.

10.3      Assignment of Kaczynski Employment Agreement, dated June 29, 2002, between Registrant and Sparky, Inc.

10.4      Assignment of Dunlap Employment Agreement, dated June 29, 2002, between Registrant and Wild Oats Financial, Inc.

10.5      Re-filing of correct version of Edward F. Dunlap Equity Incentive Plan (incorrect version filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the Company's
             Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for fiscal year ending December 29, 2001)

 

(b) Reports on Form 8-K:

None.

 

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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boulder, County of Boulder, State of Colorado, on the 13th day of August, 2002.

Wild Oats Markets, Inc.

By: /s/Edward F. Dunlap

Edward F. Dunlap

Chief Financial Officer

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In connection with the Quarterly Report of Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 29, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), Perry D. Odak, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of his knowledge, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/Perry D. Odak

Perry D. Odak

Chief Executive Officer

August 12, 2002

This certification accompanies this Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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In connection with the Quarterly Report of Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 29, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), Edward F. Dunlap, as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of his knowledge, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/Edward F. Dunlap

Edward F. Dunlap

Chief Financial Officer

August 12, 2002

This certification accompanies this Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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