Revenue during the quarter went up marginally by 1.72 percent to $3,497 million from $3,438 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter contracted 35 basis points over the previous year period to 34.14 percent. Total expenses were 95.57 percent of quarterly revenues, down from 97.44 percent for the same period last year. This has led to an improvement of 187 basis points in operating margin to 4.43 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $155 million, compared with $88 million in the previous year period.

However, the adjusted EBITDA for the quarter stood at $298 million.

"In a year that presented many headwinds for food retailers, we made measurable progress on positioning our company for continued success while producing industry-leading sales per gross square foot and healthy returns on invested capital," said John Mackey, co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Whole Foods Market. “Through our strong balance sheet and robust cash flow, we self-funded our new store development and technology investments and, in keeping with our capital allocation strategy, returned more than $1.1 billion to our shareholders through dividends and share repurchases."

Operating cash flow falls marginally
Whole Foods Market has generated cash of $1,116 million from operating activities during the year, down 1.15 percent or $13 million, when compared with the last year.

The company has spent $895 million cash to meet investing activities during the year as against cash outgo of $455 million in the last year.

The company has spent $113 million cash to carry out financing activities during the year as against cash outgo of $622 million in the last year period.

Cash and cash equivalents stood at $351 million as on Sep. 25, 2016, up 48.10 percent or $114 million from $237 million on Sep. 27, 2015.

Working capital increases sharply
Whole Foods Market has recorded an increase in the working capital over the last year. It stood at $634 million as at Sep. 25, 2016, up 117.12 percent or $342 million from $292 million on Sep. 27, 2015. Current ratio was at 1.47 as on Sep. 25, 2016, up from 1.23 on Sep. 27, 2015.

Cash conversion cycle (CCC) was almost stable at 7 days for the quarter, when compared with the last year period. Days sales outstanding were almost stable at 3 days for the quarter, when compared with the last year period.

Days inventory outstanding was almost stable at 9 days for the quarter, when compared with the last year period. At the same time, days payable outstanding was almost stable at 6 days for the quarter, when compared with the previous year period.