Walmart isn't trying to buy Whole Foods

Walmart isn't going to try to buy Whole Foods, the company said Friday

The Bentonville, Ark.-based mass merchandiser, which accounts for the largest chunk of the American supermarket industry, said it will not try to outbid Amazon for the organic-food chain.

Walmart officials dismissed the rumors that the chain might be interested, without offering official comment. The retailer would have had to top an offer of $13.7 billion from Amazon made on June 16.

The deal set the retail world, especially the grocery segment, atwitter. Industry insiders are wondering who might like to leapfrog over Amazon to get Whole Foods, the Austin-based chain with more than 460 stores in the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom. Now, with Walmart out of the running, it's yet to be seen whether Target, Costco or large foreign or domestic grocery chains -- the most likely candidates -- are willing to challenge Amazon.

Whole Foods shares closed Friday at $42.94, above Amazon's bid of $42 per share indicating that investors think additional bidders may emerge.

According to Euromonitor, Walmart has 26.2% of the U.S. grocery market. The chain has close to 11,700 stores under 59 banners in 28 countries.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Zlati Meyer on Twitter: @ZlatiMeyer