Amazon to buy organic grocer Whole Foods for $13.7bn

Online retailing giant Amazon has struck a $13.7 billion (£10.7bn) cash deal to buy US organic food chain Whole Foods Market.

Whole Foods, which has a branch in Giffnock, employs some 87,000 people. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The Seattle-based company will pay $42 a share for Whole Foods, which was founded in Texas in 1978 and has more than 460 stores across the US, Canada and UK, including one in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, that opened in 2011.

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Amazon chief executive and founder Jeff Bezos said: “Millions of people love Whole Foods Market because they offer the best natural and organic foods, and they make it fun to eat healthy.

“Whole Foods Market has been satisfying, delighting and nourishing customers for nearly four decades – they’re doing an amazing job and we want that to continue.”

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With about 87,000 staff, Whole Foods generated sales of about $16bn last year. Its brand will be retained under the deal with Amazon, which is expected to complete by the end of this year, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.

John Mackey, Whole Foods co-founder and chief executive, said: “This partnership presents an opportunity to maximise value for Whole Foods Market’s shareholders, while at the same time extending our mission and bringing the highest quality, experience, convenience and innovation to our customers.”

Mackey will remain as boss of the retailer, which is keeping its headquarters in Austin, Texas.

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