Report: Amazon plans to build, expand Whole Foods stores across U.S.

[TexasTowelie]

E-commerce giant Amazon plans to build and expand Whole Foods Market stores across the country in an effort to reach more customers with its two-hour delivery service, according to a new report.

The move would put Whole Foods in more suburbs and regions where the natural grocery chain has been adding shoppers following Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods in 2017, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

The Journal notes that’s a shift from layoffs and slowing store growth that Whole Foods went through for several years before Amazon bought the Austin-based grocery chain for about $13.5 billion.

Amazon and Whole Foods declined to comment on new store expansion or other investments. In the Rocky Mountain region, one person familiar with the plans told the Journal that Whole Foods employees have visited possible retail spaces in parts of Idaho, southern Utah and Wyoming, where the grocery chain doesn’t currently have stores.

Read more: https://www.statesman.com/news/20181231/report-amazon-plans-to-build-expand-whole-foods-stores-across-us

[msongs]

1. whole foods does not seem that expensive in hawaii. its cheaper than safeway quite often and

sometimes less than costco per pound tho whole foods has few of those megapacks of veggies and meat

[TexasTowelie]

3. The last time I hung out at Whole Foods was while I was in Austin between 1995 and 2000.

I used to stop by at lunch to grab a sandwich, a Pepsi, and a six pack of my favorite beer, Purple Haze. Then I would retreat to the parking garage for my meal, beer, and maybe a quick pipe hit depending on what was happening that day. The second half of the day went much better.

People-watching was also fun at Whole Foods as I saw almost everything that Austin has to offer either shopping there or working there.

[Cha]

4. Sounds like

a good delicious time!

I wish we had a Whole Foods on Kauai.. but I doubt they'd ever come up here.

[Sherman A1]

2. Sounds okay

As long as they treat their employees fairly.

[democratisphere]

5. I believe Whole Foods will have a very difficult time expanding

in most regions as local entrenched grocery stores are offering quick turnaround order and delivery services. Additionally, regional customers have a great loyalty to local regional grocery chains where Whole Foods, like Trader Joes, has more of a "cult" following. I also believe most grocery shoppers want to physically go to a grocery store to obtain their food.

[HipChick]

6. There's a generation who don't need to physically go to grocery store

and are fine having it delivered...I'm one of them, and don't consider myself a cult...

[democratisphere]

7. You did not read everything I said.

[Blue_true]

9. She DID read the parts of your post that applied to her.

I agree more with your point. I have to see and touch the produce that I end up buying, I don't want to count on someone else's idea of what is right for me. People like me have no grocery store loyalties, I go to the one that is most convenient at the moment or has what I need.

[HipChick]

10. I have zero support system

Surgery immobilized me at home for more than 6 weeks, before I could even get back on my feet
That's when I got introduced to grocery at home deliveries...I can see how it benefits shut-in's..but would not make blanket statements for everyone..but can see pro's and cons

[Blue_true]

8. Yeah.

I see the concept having a hard time in a largely blue collar part of Florida like my county. It may work in Gainesville and other wealthier, more progressive cities in the state.

[akraven]

11. No Whole Foods here, but Safeway, Fred Meyer

and even WalMart offer grocery delivery. Not where I am (out a ways) but closer to town and it's popular.

I don't think Whole Foods would attempt it - saturation situation, even with a military base next door.