Seattle, Washington: Amazon is taking another step to fold Whole Foods more tightly into its broader operations, announcing that corporate employees at the supermarket chain will transition to the same pay structure and benefits as Amazon's own corporate staff.

The company said the shift would be completed by December 2026, ensuring a single system of compensation and perks across its grocery divisions. Until then, Whole Foods' corporate employees will keep their in-store discount and will also receive a 10 percent discount code for Amazon merchandise. They will also have access to an employee portal offering deals on phone plans, travel, insurance, and entertainment.

"As shared with employees in June, Whole Foods Market corporate employees will move to the same programs and offerings as the rest of Amazon corporate employees … creating one consistent experience across teams," Amazon spokesperson Lauren Snyder said.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the development, noting that Whole Foods employees will have about a month to review updated job titles, salaries, and benefits.

The move is designed to strengthen collaboration among Amazon's grocery businesses, which include Whole Foods, the Amazon Fresh online and physical store network, and its Amazon Go cashierless convenience stores.

In recent years, Amazon has sharpened its focus on U.S. grocery operations, rolling out Prime fast-delivery for perishables and expanding the service to new cities. The effort is part of a push to compete more aggressively with Walmart, Kroger, and Instacart.

The company has pledged more than US$4 billion by the end of 2026 to expand its delivery network, with particular emphasis on reaching small towns and rural areas.

Amazon acquired Whole Foods in 2017 for $13.7 billion, a deal that reshaped its grocery strategy. The supermarket chain, long known for organic offerings at premium prices, has since seen cost-cutting measures and expanded availability through Prime as Amazon works to make grocery a stronger pillar of its retail business.