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Amazon Plans Cuts to Shed Whole Foods' Pricey Image (bloomberg.com)

Posted by msmash on from the aftermath dept.

When Amazon completes its acquisition of Whole Foods Market, Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos will try to keep the grocer's reputation for premium fresh foods while cutting prices to shed its "Whole Paycheck" image. From a report: Amazon expects to reduce headcount and change inventory to lower prices and make Whole Foods competitive with Wal-Mart Stores and other big-box retailers, according to a person with knowledge of the company's grocery plans. That included potentially using technology to eliminate cashiers. Amazon, known for its competitive prices, is trying to attract more low- and middle-income shoppers with its grocery push. The Seattle-based company already offers discounted Amazon Prime memberships for people receiving government assistance and is part of a pilot program to deliver groceries to food-stamp recipients.

6 of 311 comments (clear)

  1. The Whole Paycheck Image is what sells... by obenchainr · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I would venture that a big percentage of WF clientele shop there *because* of its high-price reputation. There are studies showing that people feel like they're getting a better quality product when they pay more for something, and that is almost certainly a big part of why people shop at WF. I suspect that trying to compete with Walmart is going to destroy the chain.

    1. Re:The Whole Paycheck Image is what sells... by Hognoxious · · Score: 4, Interesting

      There's a TV show in Britain called http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/prog... . They take a family and swap some of their expensive brands for generic articles (and disguise the packaging so they can't see). A lot of the time they actually prefer the cheaper stuff, at least when they don't know about it.

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  2. Allow local sellers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    just like on amazon.com, amazon should now allow local sellers to come and sell at Whole Foods stores! this may lead to competitive pricing and benefit whole food's reputation & business, farmers and consumers alike.

  3. Oh by thevirtualcat · · Score: 5, Interesting

    They want to turn Whole Foods into Wegmans?

    I'm... actually okay with that.

    Carry on.

  4. Re:That's why people shop there by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    You would hate me when I go to Whole Foods.

    I do metal working on the weekends and there is a WF that is about 15 minutes away from me. I've gone in there with steel dust and Mil-Spec on me and picked up a sandwich or a tub of soup. I go and get it there because there sandwiches are really good and the same price as one from Subway.

    Also not everyone who shops at Wal-Mart is trash. There are people who are barley getting by and shop at Wal-Mart because they cannot afford to drop their entire paycheck on groceries.

  5. Re: Is Amazon profitable yet? by AuMatar · · Score: 3, Interesting

    They're vitamins- an almost entirely unregulated market offering a product that has no health benefits for the vast, vast majority of people. Its modern day snake oil to begin with. How the hell do you counterfeit what's already fake?

    --
    I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?