<p>Whole Foods shares are still on the rise today following rumors that privately-held <B>Publix could possibly acquire the specialty grocer.</b> Could there be some truth to these rumors…or is it all just hearsay?</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Whole Foods’ stock rose 4.7% to $40.19 in heavy volume on Thursday and options volume surged, according to Reuters, citing options analytics firm Trade Alert. As of 1:21 PM ET today, shares have increased 2.1% to $40.91. <B>Interest in options was triple the normal amount</b> in early trading, said Trade Alert president Henry Schwartz, further fueling the unsubstantiated reports of a potential acquisition deal. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>“<B>Option flow reflects speculation that it may be possible</b>, but there’s always two sides of the coin,” said Schwartz, according to Tampa Bay Times.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Financial media outlet Benzinga featured a headline claiming that <B>Publix was currently in meetings</b> and that <B>Whole Foods was not answering phones at its headquarters</b>. There was no confirmation that either is related to Publix’s potential bid for Whole Foods, however.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Tampa Bay Times also reports that financial commentary and analysis website Briefing.com heard chatter that Publix is interested in Whole Foods. Still, it also said, <B>“we would be skeptical of the rumor.”</b></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>When asked to comment, Publix spokesman Brian West stated, “It is a rumor, and we do not comment on rumors.” Similarly, Jeremy Jones, Florida spokesman for Whole Foods, said the rumors had no merit. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>It would be interesting to imagine, however. Looking at these two maps from our previous story, linked below, a Publix acquisition would allow the company to have a stronger national footprint along with Whole Foods’ selection of organic merchandise. Publix has approximately 1,077 stores in the Southeast, with 753 in Florida. Whole Foods has approximately 383 stores across the United States. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.andnowuknow.com/headlines/retail-hotspots-which-regions-do-americas-retailers-dominate/12094/jordan-okumura" target="_new"> Click here to read: Retail Hotspots: Which Regions do America’s Retailers Dominate? </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/wholefoods060614bdy1.jpg" alt="cropped_image_060514" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/wholefoods060614bdy2.jpg" alt="cropped_image_060514" /></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>We have already reported earlier that Whole Foods is beefing up its expansion goals by moving into <B>new and unexpected markets</b> with “smaller and urban” stores in places such as Brooklyn and Boise. Could Florida be its next big target for further expansion? <B>Check out our previous story, linked below.</b></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.andnowuknow.com/whats-store/whole-foods-plans-open-unexpected-new-markets/11680/jonathan-nivens" target="_new"> Click here to read: Whole Foods Plans to Open in Unexpected New Markets </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Although nothing is confirmed at this point, this would have been the next huge acquisition of the year. I’m still skeptical, but with so many deals happening this year, we’ll just have to wait and see.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for continuous updates on this story.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company-info/investor-relations" target="_new"> Whole Foods </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.publix.com" target="_new"> Publix </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
