AnewfilingconfirmsthattherewereothersuitorstryingtobuyWholeFoods,butthatAmazonputpressureonWholeFoodsnottotalktothemBusinessVideoConferencing.Thedocumentcitesa“CompanyX”thatexpressedinterestinhavingexploratoryconversationsinmid-April,butdidnotmakeaformaloffer.ReutershasidentifiedthatcompanyasAlbertsonsgroceries.Overthenexttwoweeks,fourprivateequityfirmsindicatedtheywereinclinedtodiscussaleveragedbuyoutorinvestmentinWholeFoodstravelnews.Inthatsametimeframe,WholeFoodsCEOJohnMackeydiscussedamediareportthatsuggestedAmazononcehadconsideredacquiringthem.Heaskedanoutsideconsultanttomakeaphonecalltointroducethetwoparties.AfterconversationswithPeterKrawiec,Amazon.com’svicepresidentofWorldwideCorporateDevelopment,thecompanieswoundupsigninganon-disclosureagreementandmetinSeattleonApril30.Theydiscussedstrategicpossibilities,butanofferwasn’tmade.WholeFoodsreachedouttoAlbertsonstoscheduleameetingbutremainedincontactwithAmazon.Theyalsoreceivedaninquiryfromundisclosed“CompanyY.”AmazonmetwithAlbertsonsonMay18.TheytoldWholeFoodsthatapossibleacquisitionwouldvaluethecompanybetween35and40pershare.Laterthatdaytheyhadaconversationwith“CompanyY,”butdidnotdiscussanofferVedaSalon.