OT: Amazon is buying Whole Foods -- how do we feel about this?

Submitted by Optimism Attache on

Amazon's deal to acquire Whole Foods will be complete Monday and I'm torn.

On the one hand, you can argue it is bad when one company starts to swallow an ever growing share of the economy. And there are assertions that Amazon's impact on retail has been devastating and its employee wages are bad.

On the other hand, my family and I use Amazon all the time.  Bezos has already promised to cut prices at Whole Foods starting next week and offer Prime customers (that's me!) deals and discounts at the grocery store. I am not a food snob, but I will buy more stuff at WF if it gets cheaper. 

What say you all? Good or bad? 

Washington Post article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/08/24/amazons-take…

 

 

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stephenrjking

August 24th, 2017 at 8:23 PM ^

This seems to be getting more social media play than an average merger, though granted it is pretty big. I suspect this is because Whole Foods attracts a certain clientele that cares about these kinds of things, and also a clientele that identifies itself in a way that might clash with shopping at one of the biggest companies in the world. 

I don't know, I'm not much of a Whole Foods shopper. But I wonder if the anti-Walmart prejudice creeps in here.

Joined: 03/15/2012

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MonkeyMan

August 24th, 2017 at 8:26 PM ^

I feel this is bad for America. If Amazon buys whole foods then they will control the market as we will all have to buy from them. There should be parts leftover for Meijers like chicken wings. 

Joined: 10/13/2013

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EGD

August 24th, 2017 at 8:28 PM ^

I just finished reading an excellent New Yorker article about how the growth of new tech supermonopolies (Amazon, Google, Facebook) are eroding democracy. Sk that's bad. But admittedly I am not sure whether that's as important to me right now as the ability to have raw milk gouda delivered to my house for cheap.

Joined: 09/16/2009

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HenneGivenSunday

August 24th, 2017 at 8:31 PM ^

People who are dumb enough to pay higher prices for "organic" food will still do it, with zero added nutritional value. They may be able to do it for marginally less money. So, that's good I guess.

Joined: 10/24/2011

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HenneGivenSunday

August 25th, 2017 at 5:26 AM ^

I'm glad you're better, but I suspect it isn't an organic versus non-organic thing. Processed versus non-processed is a real thing.

That being said, if it is working for you even as a placebo effect, then it is worth it for you.

For me, it's all about making good food choices anyway, regardless of whether it is organic or not.

Joined: 10/24/2011

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Mgoscottie

August 24th, 2017 at 8:32 PM ^

I am not near one but I would go out of my way to stear clear of the anti-science propaganda they peddle if I were.  It's nuts that people will pay more money for an inferior product in every way.  Worse for the environment, worse for your health (slightly), unless it really tastes good I don't get it.  I was glad to see them struggling and now between this and their NY times mouthpiece it's concerning.

Joined: 08/25/2009

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LSAClassOf2000

August 24th, 2017 at 8:37 PM ^

My sister and I jokingly hailed the dawn of wine and cheese drone deliveries to our back porches. I think I could learn to live with that.

I will say, from recent professional experience, Amazon is coming to a community near you. Not sure how many of you live or work in southern Wayne County like me but that facility being graded out and readied on Ecorse Road in Romulus....that's Amazon, and it's quickly becoming part of the local economy. 

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wile_e8

August 25th, 2017 at 12:22 AM ^

I should probably be concerned, but until another company done up with a way for shopping that easier than Amazon Prime I won't do anything about it.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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SFBlue

August 25th, 2017 at 1:34 AM ^

I say bad. Amazon and Whole Foods are two ends of the same foul spectrum. Support your local farmers' market. Go to a butcher. Reward craft and artisanal products. Not corporate clout.

Joined: 11/02/2009

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nb

August 25th, 2017 at 2:19 AM ^

Amazon is an American company innovating and creating 300,000 American jobs. It wins by innovating and customers benefit. Any local organic food company or small business can sell their goods on Amazon. Communities can still buy local on Amazon with 1 hour prime now shipping! Any local person can deliver for them. Yeah it's a really tough place to work and this is a really hard way to make profits. But, everything is for the customer's benefit. For once, a company puts its customers before profits! What are you afraid of? By the way, they have hired hundreds of Michigan grads and they have a big Detroit office.

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