SEATTLE — Amazon announced on Wednesday that it will extend its corporate pay structure and benefits to Whole Foods Market’s U.S. corporate employees, marking another step in consolidating its grocery businesses under one system.
The e-commerce giant said the alignment will be completed by December 2026. Whole Foods corporate employees will continue to receive their existing in-store discount perks until then, along with a 10% discount code for Amazon merchandise and access to Amazon’s employee deals portal, which covers items such as phone plans, travel, and insurance.
"As shared with employees in June, Whole Foods Market corporate employees will move to the same programs and offerings as the rest of Amazon corporate employees ... creating one consistent experience across teams," spokesperson Lauren Snyder said.
The transition is expected to streamline collaboration across Amazon’s grocery operations, which include Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh stores, and its cashierless Amazon Go convenience outlets. The Wall Street Journal first reported the move, noting Whole Foods staff will have about a month to review new job titles, salaries, and benefits.
Amazon has invested heavily to expand its grocery presence in the U.S., adding perishable items to its Prime delivery network and committing more than $4 billion to strengthen its logistics by 2026, with a focus on small towns and rural areas.
The company acquired Whole Foods in 2017 for $13.7 billion, later cutting prices and integrating the grocer into its Prime ecosystem. With this latest step, Amazon is aiming to better compete with grocery rivals Walmart and Kroger, as well as delivery services like Instacart.
