What you think about: Amazon’s Whole Foods strategyWhat you think about: Amazon’s Whole Foods strategy

Amazon has struggled for years now to crack the code with Whole Foods Market. In Whole Foods’ growth years, our contributor writes, they were offering a higher level of products and in-store shopping experience, especially in their perishable departments. Many high end grocers have surpassed them now, especially in their stores that are older than five years.

So how does Amazon need to pivot its Whole Foods strategy to maximize this brand? Here are your thoughts:

Rick Stevens, Partner, Business Development, Purchasing, R&D for a Private Label Snack Food Manufacturer

I spent an hour with them in Austin offering innovative new private label products in a category that is lacking. It was a few years ago and nothing new in the category has come to market.

Mike Kester, Reset Manager - Kings Food Market and Balducci’s

You don’t hire Gordon Ramsey to run a McDonalds. Amazon wants to run Whole Foods like Amazon, and it’s not working. Get back to focusing on differentiation, not selling the same stuff Amazon does.

Michael Greer, Director of Sales/Team Leader - National Sales (Refrigerated Retail Division)

Trader Joe’s has dominated Whole Foods for decades, and continues to do so across the country. Think of TJ’s model as the In-N-Out Burger of grocery stores. They keep it simple, focus product selection squarely on “what’s on trend,” drive aggressive deals, keep store locations on the smaller size to maximize $$’s/Sq ft., and most importantly their stores are a destination to shop. You need the right leadership team to guide Whole Foods in this direction or they’ll continue to underperform.

Jerry Mick, Team Lead at Sam’s Club

Get some management. Companies hire or promote friends and family. Use some fresh ideas. People don't listen anymore, they know it all. The retail industry will eat you alive, if you let it.

Donald King, CPG Leader

The marketplace is loaded with competition, especially in a large metro market. Kroger, Publix, Lidl and Fresh Market all fighting over the same customer. I live in Atlanta and it’s a close race between Koger and Publix who can build a store faster. How creative can a rutabaga get? What about a pomegranate? You can’t build lobby displays of rutabagas and pomegranates in an attempt to impress people.

JuanAndres Ferrari, Strategic Procurement, Regenerative Organic Agriculture

For a long time, going to Whole Foods was an incredible experience. Great variety from all over the world. Somehow the WF Leaders took the wrong direction. Let's get back to their basics with fresh produce and a dream salad bar, and add some standard groceries so your customer can finish their shop at [Whole Foods] and not the neighboring rival grocery store.

Rebecca Vibbert, Bakery Technical/Sales professional

Personally it's the lack of manpower devoted to ACTUAL Whole foods. They are so busy with all the Amazon shopping, returns,etc. As a shopper you feel not prioritized above satisfying an Amazon shopper.

Suzanne Olson, Marketing & Customer Experience Consultant 

I don’t go to Whole Foods a lot, but last time I went it felt like…well, a grocery store. The discovery and experience was definitely missing.

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Have another thought? Add your comment here or email the SN staff at [email protected], and make sure to include your first and last name and job title for publication.