Question

Whole Foods Market Inc.

The following link will take you to quarterly sales data for thepast five years (use the Five-Year Historical Data, Salescolumn):

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company-info/investor-relations/financial-results

Use the quarterly data to do the following:

a. Graph the data. Label axes appropriately.

b. Calculate seasonal indexes for each quarter

c. Run a trendline through the plot of the data.

d. Use the trendline and the seasonal indexes to make forecastsfor the next four quarters.

e. Explain why Whole Foods sales might peak in the first quarterof each year. Provide examples of products that a Whole Foods storemight carry that have high demand in the first quarter of theyear.