, Columnist
Happy Anniversary, Amazon-Whole Foods. What's Changed?
The grocery chain is basically the same. Look to rivals to see the big difference.
Disruption in Aisle 1.
Photographer: Daniel Acker/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
One year ago this week, Amazon.com Inc. loudly declared its intention to become a grocery industry heavyweight by announcing its agreement to buy Whole Foods Market.
The $13.7 billion deal practically guaranteed sweeping change in a segment of the retail world that hadn't yet felt the sting of e-commerce. By marrying Amazon's digital prowess and appetite for price-cutting with Whole Foods' well-established perishables supply chain and network of stores, it seemed a trip to Whole Foods or a tap of the Amazon app was about to become ground zero of food-shopping innovation — and a top choice for customers.