Amazon spokesperson: Whole Foods Market corporate employees will move to the same programs and offerings as the rest of Amazon corporate employees

Amazon spokesperson: Whole Foods Market corporate employees will move to the same programs and offerings as the rest of Amazon corporate employees

In a significant move to align its grocery business with the parent company, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) has announced that it will offer its Whole Foods corporate employees new positions with benefits and perks similar to those of other Amazon employees. This integration, set to begin next year, is part of Amazon's broader effort to streamline its operations and enhance collaboration and innovation within its grocery division.

Effective December 8, 2025, Whole Foods corporate employees will transition to Amazon's systems and programs. This shift includes replacing Whole Foods' unique benefits, such as in-store discounts and four weeks of remote work per year, with Amazon's standard offerings. Additionally, Whole Foods employees will receive Amazon stock as part of their compensation package instead of an annual bonus.

Amazon spokesperson Lauren Snyder emphasized that the move is designed to bring the grocery teams closer together, fostering better collaboration and innovation. The integration comes as Amazon ramps up its in-house grocery business to compete with rivals like Walmart (WMT), Instacart (CART), and Kroger (KR) with same-day delivery of fresh groceries.

The announcement has had a mixed impact on the market. While Amazon's shares have risen, the news has also weighed on competitors' shares. This integration marks a continuation of Amazon's strategy to centralize Whole Foods' operations and scale back some of its distinctive perks and benefits since its acquisition in 2017.

Whole Foods employees have expressed concerns about the cultural shift, but Amazon maintains that the integration is essential for driving collaboration and innovation. After the transition, in-store discounts will be reserved for Whole Foods in-store employees, starting in 2027.

References:
[1] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4489581-amazon-offering-whole-foods-corporate-employees-new-positions---report