Rotten Produce, Disarray And Discounts: Is This The New Whole Foods?
A recent Barclays Investment Bank report suggests the quality of Whole Foods Markets offerings has declined since the $13.7B Amazon takeover, and customers on social media are not impressed with the store either.
Barclays report stemmed from a visit to a number of Whole Foods stores in the Northeast on Nov. 20, Observer reports. It describes a chaotic scene with boxes strewn about and blocking aisles and faulty self-checkout scanners. Sales signage with price reductions was placed throughout the store, along with randomly distributed toy displays. Much like the boxes, the latter were in disarray and blocking aisles, Barclays reports.
Since Whole Foods joined Amazon, many customers have reported bruised, discolored and even rotten produce. Stores have been running low on inventory and have been cleared of some products completely, including turkeys in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, Observer reports.
Barclays attributed the issues to seasonal sales being higher than expected, leading to uncoordinated deliveries, as well as a reduction of labor.
Since the close of the acquisition, Amazon has lowered Whole Foods prices to be more affordable for shoppers. The grocer cut prices on some of its best-selling products, and now offers Amazon Prime members special savings throughout the store.
“We’re determined to make healthy and organic food affordable for everyone. Everybody should be able to eat Whole Foods Market quality — we will lower prices without compromising Whole Foods Market’s long-held commitment to the highest standards,” Amazon Worldwide Consumer CEO Jeff Wilke said in a statement back in August.
