Amazon has appointed Whole Foods CEO Jason Buechel to lead its global grocery business, expanding his responsibilities while still overseeing Whole Foods. Buechel, who became CEO of Whole Foods in 2022, will take on the role previously held by Tony Hoggett, who left Amazon last year. This move comes as Amazon aims to solidify its position as a grocery destination for consumers, following its acquisition of Whole Foods in 2017.
Buechel will now oversee not only Whole Foods but also Amazon’s broader grocery business, which includes Fresh supermarkets, Go cashierless stores, and online grocery services. The company has been working to integrate its online and brick-and-mortar grocery operations to appeal to a wider range of shoppers.
Amazon has made changes to its grocery division in recent years, including closing some Fresh and Go stores as part of cost-cutting efforts. The company has also begun removing its cashierless checkout system from Fresh stores in the U.S. and is instead selling the technology to third-party retailers.
The integration of the Fresh and Whole Foods businesses has also been a focus for Amazon, with a new concept being piloted at a Whole Foods location near Philadelphia. This concept involves attaching an automated warehouse to the store, allowing Amazon customers to purchase goods from brands not typically stocked at Whole Foods. With Buechel at the helm, Amazon continues to focus on making grocery shopping simpler, faster, and more affordable for customers.
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