Amazon to Lower Prices at Whole Foods Starting Monday, Will Offer Special Benefits to Prime Members

A Whole Foods store in N.Y. Sunday

Amazon and Whole Foods Markert announced that Amazon’s acquisition of the upscale supermarket chain will close on August 28. The $13 billion deal was first announced in June and the Federal Trade Commission approved it on Wednesday.

On that date, Whole Foods will drop many of its prices, although Amazon did not say how much it would cut the prices by. There are 460 Whole Foods stores spread across the United States, Canada, and Great Britain.

The two companies said that they will also begin to integrate their operations by using Amazon Prime as a Whole Foods Market point-of-sale system customer loyalty program. Once this happens, Amazon Prime members will receive special savings and in-store benefits, Amazon said. Amazon Prime, which costs $99 per year, is a service that gives customers free one- or two-day shipping, video streaming, as well as other benefits.

“We’re determined to make healthy and organic food affordable for everyone,” said Jeff Wilke, CEO of Amazon’s consumer division.

The list of products to see a price drop on Monday will include organic bananas, farmed salmon, organic large brown eggs, organic avocados, and organic baby kale. The move will likely banish the derisive“Whole Paycheck” nickname the company has had to the annals of history.

Amazon Lockers will also be available in select stores, to which customers will be able to have products shipped and the lockers may also be used for returning products as well.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)