Gaiam.com, WholePeople merge; Artemis sold to Finland company

As a result of the merger, completed on June 20, Gaiam assumed all of WholePeople.com assets, except for the direct marketing business, owning approximately 50.1 percent of the site. Amrion Inc., formerly WholePeople.com, will own the remaining 49.9 percent. About 117 workers from WholePeople.com and Amrion were layed off as the merger was announced.

Launched in August 1999, Gaiam.com extends parent company Gaiam’s catalog business, providing products, services and information focusing on healthy, natural lifestyles, and the environment. Unlike other business-to-consumer e-commerce sites, Gaiam.com is profitable. Sales topped $3.1 million for the first quarter 2000, a 53 percent increase from…