Amazon cuts Whole Foods prices for Prime members in new grocery showdown

[mia]

On Wednesday, Whole Foods debuted a much-anticipated loyalty program that offers special discounts to Prime customers, including 10 percent off hundreds of sale items and rotating weekly specials such as $10 per pound off wild-caught halibut steaks.

Those perks are available now in Florida and will roll out to all other stores starting this summer. Amazon previously announced free two-hour delivery from Whole Foods stores for members of Prime, its subscription club with fast shipping and video streaming....

The new perks could make Whole Foods cheaper than conventional grocers for about 8 million of its customers who already subscribe to Amazon Prime, according to Morgan Stanley analysts.

Prime members scan an app or input their phone numbers at checkout to receive the discounts...

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-com-whole-foods/amazon-cuts-whole-foods-prices-for-prime-members-in-new-grocery-showdown-idUSKCN1IH0BM

[Sherman A1]

1. This is after raising the price on prime membership?

I don’t see it as much of a deal, some may find it to be to their benefit, but for me, No Thanks!

[CentralMass]

2. I will avoid Amazon and Whole Foods.

[hlthe2b]

3. There is one thing I buy at Whole Foods (rarely) because I can't find it elsewhere...

So, I guess I'll get to save my 70 cents. Yipee!

[LuvNewcastle]

4. If we had a Whole Foods here I would use that discount.

Maybe Whole Foods will expand if they get enough business from Prime members.

[NCTraveler]

5. It's an amazing grocery store.

Sticker shock is real. The cost difference isn’t minimal.

[get the red out]

6. I'm thinking about using it

Whole Foods is a good store, but ours is on the other side of town and super expensive. Unfortunately, the local natural food co-op, of which I have been a member for YEARS, has gone from a lovely "old hippie store" to trying to be as elite as Whole Foods, I guess to attract the trendy folks with more disposable income. Seems to be working for them, but doesn't work for me since their prices have become elite also, so I have had to drastically cut down shopping there too because of their prices. There are some natural/organic brands I love simply because their products are yummy! Might take advantage of the "prime" deal once in a while now. But Kroger has gotten a lot more into the natural foods game, and I shop there weekly (they are at least union). Sorry for rambling, but it seems to me (just my opinion) that high prices might help natural food stores in some ways, making them seem more exclusive and upper crust.

[IADEMO2004]

7. Living in the middle of nowhere Prime is a plus for me. Son is a manager at a Whole Foods.

Local stores have low end basic merchandise and will special order for me with added cost time and travel. Pass. Price cut for Prime could see me going to Whole Foods more than once or twice a year. It's over an hour drive away.

[mcar]

8. I may go back to Whole Foods

Re Amazon raising their Prime membership, in my family it's already more than paid for itself just in free shipping, not counting music and video. My son and I split the cost.