Prices Slashed at Whole Foods as Amazon Ownership Kicks In

GLASTONBURY/WEST HARTFORD, CT — Prices were slashed on some items at Whole foods stores in Glastonbury and West Hartford on Monday as Connecticut felt the effects of Amazon's first day as the new owner.

The merger closed on Monday and the reductions — as much as 43 percent — were on a "selection of best-selling grocery staples across its stores, with more to come," company officials said in a news release.

In addition, Amazon and Whole Foods Market technology teams will begin to integrate Amazon Prime into the Whole Foods Market point-of-sale system, and when this work is complete, Prime members will receive special savings and in-store benefits, according to the release.

“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.

The cheaper items included organic bananas, "responsibly-farmed" salmon, organic large brown eggs, "animal-welfare-rated" 85 percent lean ground beef.

"And this is just the beginning," Wilke said. "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.”

John Mackey, Whole Foods Market co-founder and CEO added, “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 Amazon innovate together.”

Amazon and Whole Foods Market plan to offer more in-store benefits and lower prices for customers over time as the two companies integrate logistics and point-of-sale and merchandising systems, officials said.

The company will maintain operations under the Whole Foods Market brand. Mackey will remain as CEO and Whole Foods Market’s headquarters will stay in Austin, Texas, according to the news release.

Photo Credit: Whole Foods