UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  February 28, 2011

 

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Texas

 

0-19797

 

74-1989366

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(Commission File

 

(IRS Employer

incorporation)

 

Number)

 

Identification No.)

 

550 Bowie Street, Austin, Texas

 

78703

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(512) 477-4455

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 5.07               Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

The Company convened its annual meeting of shareholders on February 28, 2011 pursuant to notice duly given.  The matters voted upon at the meeting and the results of such voting are set forth below:

 

1.             To elect eleven directors to the Board of Directors of the Company to serve one-year terms expiring at the later of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2012 or upon a successor being elected and qualified. All director nominees were duly elected.

 

 

 

FOR

 

WITHHELD

 

BROKER
NON-VOTES

 

APPLICABLE
PERCENTAGES

Dr. John Elstrott

 

121,023,118

 

11,700,759

 

20,478,417

 

91% FOR

Gabrielle Greene

 

127,426,879

 

5,296,998

 

20,478,417

 

96% FOR

Shahid (Hass) Hassan

 

124,685,210

 

8,038,667

 

20,478,417

 

94% FOR

Stephanie Kugelman

 

118,014,972

 

14,708,905

 

20,478,417

 

89% FOR

John Mackey

 

126,667,167

 

6,056,710

 

20,478,417

 

95% FOR

Walter Robb

 

127,542,027

 

5,181,850

 

20,478,417

 

96% FOR

Jonathan Seiffer

 

90,637,871

 

42,086,006

 

20,478,417

 

68% FOR

Morris (Mo) Siegel

 

127,394,982

 

5,328,895

 

20,478,417

 

96% FOR

Jonathan Sokoloff

 

101,472,030

 

31,251,847

 

20,478,417

 

76% FOR

Dr. Ralph Sorenson

 

117,381,214

 

15,342,663

 

20,478,417

 

88% FOR

W. (Kip) Tindell, III

 

117,881,294

 

14,842,583

 

20,478,417

 

89% FOR

 

2.             To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young, LLP as independent auditor for the Company for the fiscal year ending September 25, 2011. This proposal was approved.

 

FOR

 

AGAINST

 

ABSTAIN

 

APPLICABLE
PERCENTAGE

150,657,604

 

2,362,748

 

181,942

 

98% FOR

 

2



 

3.             To ratify compensation packages granted to named executive officers. This proposal was approved.

 

FOR

 

AGAINST

 

ABSTAIN

 

BROKER
NON-VOTES

 

APPLICABLE
PERCENTAGE

128,953,322

 

2,719,127

 

1,051,428

 

20,478,417

 

98% FOR

 

4.             To determine the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation. Of the total votes cast, 53% voted for a say-on-pay vote every year, 39% voted for a say-on-pay vote every two years and 7% voted for a say-on-pay vote every three years.  Based on these results, the Board has determined that the Company will hold an advisory shareholder vote on the compensation of executives every year.

 

1 YEAR

 

2 YEARS

 

3 YEARS

 

ABSTAIN

 

BROKER NON-
VOTES

70,636,711

 

52,089,376

 

9,592,644

 

405,146

 

20,478,417

 

5.             To adopt the shareholder proposal amending the bylaws to permit removal of a director either with or without cause. This proposal was not approved.

 

FOR

 

AGAINST

 

ABSTAIN

 

BROKER
NON-VOTES

 

APPLICABLE
PERCENTAGE

62,416,538

 

63,902,017

 

6,405,322

 

20,478,417

 

51% AGAINST

 

6.             To adopt the shareholder proposal requiring the Chairman of the Board of Directors to be an independent director, whenever possible. This proposal was not approved.

 

FOR

 

AGAINST

 

ABSTAIN

 

BROKER
NON-VOTES

 

APPLICABLE
PERCENTAGE

44,726,587

 

87,807,155

 

190,135

 

20,478,417

 

66% AGAINST

 

3



 

SIGNATURES

 

 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Glenda Flanagan

Date: March 2, 2011

Glenda Flanagan

 

Executive Vice President and

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

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