Amazon says Whole Foods will cut prices when deal closes on Monday

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Amazon says Whole Foods will cut prices when deal closes on Monday

Avocados and kale are just two of the products that will see their prices cut by Whole Foods Market on Monday (August 28), when Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) expects to finalize its US$13.7 billion acquisition. 

A Whole Foods Market store in Union Square, New York. Photo: Aspersions, via Wikimedia Creative Commons

The online retail giant said the two companies would together pursue the vision of making the chain's organic food "affordable for everyone."

"As a down payment on that vision, Whole Foods Market will offer lower prices starting Monday on a selection of best-selling grocery staples across its stores, with more to come," Amazon said in a statement.

They will also begin to integrate Amazon Prime into the Whole Foods Market point-of-sale system, which when complete will give Prime members with special savings and in-store benefits. 

In addition, the two companies will "invent in" additional areas over time, including in merchandising and logistics, to enable lower prices at Whole Foods.

“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 AmazonWorldwide Consumer. “

From Monday, Whole Foods Market will offer lower prices on products including Whole Trade bananas, organic avocados, organic baby kale and baby lettuce, almond butter and organic Gala and Fuji apples.

Amazon Lockers will be available in select Whole Foods Market stores. Customers can have products shipped from Amazon.com to their local Whole Foods Market store for pick up or send returns back to Amazon during a trip to the store.

Whole Foods will maintain operations under its brand. John Mackey will remain as CEO and Whole Foods Market’s headquarters will stay in Austin, Texas.

"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," Mackey said.

"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.”

The announcement of the Whole Foods discounts wiped out nearly US$12 billion in market value from grocery sellers after shares of Kroger, Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, Supervalu and Sprouts Farmers Markets collapsed, according to CNBC.

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