Amazon and Whole Foods Market has announced yesterday the acquisition of the food grocer has been finalised as of Monday, 28 August, after winning antitrust approval from US regulators.
“We’re determined to make healthy and organic food affordable for everyone. Everybody should be able to eat Whole Foods Market quality – we will lower prices without compromising Whole Foods Market’s long-held commitment to the highest standards,” said Jeff Wilke, CEO of Amazon Worldwide Consumer.
Some grocery store stocks declined after the news of the two global giants. AAP reported Kroger was down 4.6 per cent while Wal-Mart Stores also fell by 2.1 per cent.
“To get started, we’re going to lower prices beginning Monday on a selection of best-selling grocery staples, including Whole Trade organic bananas, responsibly-farmed salmon, organic large brown eggs, animal-welfare-rated 85 per cent lean ground beef, and more. And this is just the beginning – we will make Amazon Prime the customer rewards program at Whole Foods Market and continuously lower prices as we invent together. There is significant work and opportunity ahead, and we’re thrilled to get started.”
Major plans for the well-known organic supermarket are on the way. The global e-commerce giant will integrate Amazon Prime into the Whole Foods Market point-of-sale system. Consumers who are Prime members will benefit from it and in return will receive special savings and in-store benefits. Furthermore, the two companies will focus on its merchandising and logistics divisions to enable lower prices for Whole Foods Market customers.
“It’s been our mission for 39 years at Whole Foods Market to bring the highest quality food to our customers,” said John Mackey, Whole Foods Market co-founder and CEO. “By working together with Amazon and integrating in several key areas, we can lower prices and double down on that mission and reach more people with Whole Foods Market’s high-quality, natural and organic food. As part of our commitment to quality, we’ll continue to expand our efforts to support and promote local products and suppliers. We can’t wait to start showing customers what’s possible when Whole Foods Market and Amazoninnovate together.”
Starting next week, shoppers will be able to purchase lower prices for Whole Trade bananas, organic avocados, organic large brown eggs, among other products. Whole Foods Market’s private label products, including 365 Everyday Value; Whole Foods Market; Whole Paws and Whole Catch, will be available through Amazon.com, AmazonFresh, Prime Pantry and Prime Now.
There will also be Amazon Lockers at the Whole Foods Marketstores, wherein customers can have products shipped from their website directly to their local Whole Foods Market stores for pick up or send returns back to Amazon at the establishment. The supermarket will also continue hire employees and expand its team as it open new stores and expands its support of local farmers and artisans.
