Shoppers can expect to see some discounted items at the Whole Foods in Clarendon (2700 Wilson Blvd) after online retailer Amazon bought the grocery giant.
Already, signs featuring both company logos indicate discounts on fresh produce like avocados, tomatoes and apples, as well as pasta sauce, almond butter and walnut halves. More discounts could follow in the near future. Many products have been reduced in price by $1, while avocados are now available for $1.49 each, having previously been at $4 for two.
The slashed prices follow Amazon’s $13.7 billion purchase of Whole Foods, which it closed on Monday after being allowed to proceed by the federal government.
Bloomberg reports that it slashed prices in some stores by as much as 43 percent, and also had its Amazon Echo voice recognition electronic assistant on sale for less than $100.
In a press release announcing the acquisition, the companies said the Amazon Prime delivery and membership service will be integrated into Whole Foods’ sales system, giving members discounts and other benefits. They also promised to lower prices while maintaining the quality of Whole Foods’ products.
“It’s been our mission for 39 years at Whole Foods Market to bring the highest quality food to our customers,” John Mackey, Whole Foods Market co-founder and CEO, said in a statement. “By working together with Amazon and integrating in several key areas, we can lower prices and double down on that mission and reach more people with Whole Foods Market’s high-quality, natural and organic food. As part of our commitment to quality, we’ll continue to expand our efforts to support and promote local products and suppliers. We can’t wait to start showing customers what’s possible when Whole Foods Market and Amazon innovate together.”
Whole Foods has a second Arlington location in Pentagon City — though there was no sign of Amazon-driven discounts there as of Monday afternoon (update: a reader, below, says the discounts are now in place) — and there are rumors of another landing in Ballston. A new building at 750 N. Glebe Road had been eyed for a new Whole Foods, but will instead host a small-format Target.
@ARLnowDOTcom Discounts in place at Pentagon City @WholeFoods too – in addition to apples saw signs like this one on bananas, milk & salmon. https://t.co/YM0TO5UHAh
— Rebecca Middleton (@rebecky75) August 29, 2017