Amazon to Acquire Whole Foods Market for $13.7 Billion

16 Jun 2017 --- Amazon and Whole Foods Market, Inc. have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Amazon will acquire Whole Foods Market for $42 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $13.7 billion, including Whole Foods Market’s net debt.

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

“This partnership presents an opportunity to maximize 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,” said John Mackey, Whole Foods Market co-founder and CEO.

Whole Foods Market will continue to operate stores under the Whole Foods Market brand and source from trusted vendors and partners around the world. John Mackey will remain as CEO of Whole Foods Market and Whole Foods Market’s headquarters will stay in Austin, Texas.

Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by Whole Foods Market's shareholders, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The parties expect to close the transaction during the second half of 2017.

The move comes after activist investor Jana Partners took a 8% stake in Whole Foods in April and pushed the company to look into strategic changes including a sale.

In October 2016, reports surfaced that Amazon was planning to build its own grocery stores and has built other physical retail locations for books.

Amazon has recently begun experimenting with bookstores and a small grocery, but this is by far its most ambitious move into physical retail. The Seattle-based company was recently granted a patent for technology that would block shoppers from comparing prices from their mobile devices while they’re in stores.

In Whole Foods, it is acquiring a company that has recently come under pressure from investors for its lagging performance. Whole Foods whose fleet of stores now numbers more than 430 locations has found it difficult to attract more mainstream consumers as Walmart and other large chains have stepped up their sales of natural and organic products.