Partnership Agreement Between Price Chopper Supermarkets and Wild Oats Markets

03/11/06 Price Chopper Supermarkets, one of the country's premier food retailers and Wild Oats Markets announced that Price Chopper will be the first independent retailer to sign an agreement with Wild Oats Markets, Inc. to sell the entire line of Wild Oats branded natural and organic products in its stores.

"We are thrilled to expand and enhance our strong natural and organic product offer with the addition of hundreds of Wild Oats branded products, said Neil Golub, president and CEO of Price Chopper. "Wild Oats is a definitive leader in this field, and our agreement with them allows us to provide their well-regarded natural and organic foods, holistic supplements and environmentally friendly body care products in various categories throughout the store for our customers here in the Northeast."

Price Chopper plans to offer the Wild Oats brand in all 115 of its stores located in six Northeastern states. "We want to carry as many items as our customers want to buy and will continue to build the brand with our new partners. We are currently in the process of re- lanogramming our shelves to handle the new products. In order to insure smooth replenishment in our stores, we are retrofitting our warehouse to incorporate the entire line and will start distribution just after the holiday season," added Golub.

The selection of products will range from all-natural cookies and snacks, to natural cheeses and imported Italian sodas, as well as everyday staples that provide natural and organic alternatives to mainstream brands. These and hundreds of other Wild Oats branded products will provide Price Chopper customers with a wide selection of the highest quality natural, organic and specialty items available in the market.

"The Wild Oats brand name has come to represent quality and integrity, and we are pleased that interest is growing among leading retailers like Price Chopper in the U.S. -- as well as internationally -- in the Wild Oats line of branded products," said Gregory Mays, Chairman and CEO of Wild Oats Markets. "By selecting Wild Oats as their brand of choice for natural and organic foods, Price Chopper has demonstrated their commitment to providing customers with a wide selection of new and exciting products that meet a growing need for healthier alternatives."

The Wild Oats line of branded products incorporates the highest quality ingredients and attractive packaging that provides information about the benefits of natural and organic foods.