Consumers are taking to social media, venting their frustrations at perceived quality issues with Whole Foods Market Inc.’s produce departments following the company’s acquisition by Seattle-based Amazon.
Business Insider interviewed about a dozen shoppers who said they’ve seen noticeable changes in out of stocks, quality and variety, including availability of organic produce.
The media outlet talked with AC Gallo, president and chief operating officer, who said nothing has changed about the company’s produce operations since the Amazon purchase.
“We have high standards, and we only want to sell the highest quality, freshest produce possible,” he told Business Insider. “That will always remain at the core of our business.”
Business Insider published photos of out of stocks on shelves, and quoted a recent note by Barclays with critiques of mid-morning stocking, boxes blocking aisles and product placement changes, including packaged mushrooms being relocated.
Over the past several years, Whole Foods has made significant investments in labor optimization, prior to the company’s Amazon buyout. The company also centralized more of its buying operations, though most of those changes reportedly did not affect produce operations.