Amazon Puts Whole Foods on Fast Track to Conventional Supermarket
Specialty grocer will no longer allow ‘brand advocates’ in stores, a potential blow to local sellers
Whole Foods also is centralizing much of its decision-making regarding the assortment of products across the country. Instead of allowing brands to frequently pitch their products to individual stores or regions, Whole Foods executives in its Austin, Texas headquarters will choose a higher percentage of the items stores carry.
.. Market reports show traffic improvement since the deal closed last month, likely because the chain lowered prices on key items like eggs and milk... Some consultants also say they expect local brands to take their products elsewhere due to the push to pitch Whole Foods’ headquarters.