While it’s hard to say exactly what an Amazon-owned Whole Foods shopping experience will be like, you can be sure that all eyes will be on the effects of this proposed retail combination. The dust is now settling after Amazon’s June 16 announcement that it wants to buy Austin-based Whole Foods Market for $13.7 billion. And, with Amazon fulfillment centers located in Dallas, Coppell, Haslet, and Fort Worth—together with 13 Whole Foods Market stores in North Texas—Dallas-Fort Worth will be a key proving ground for the combined companies.
Ward Kampf, who’s president of Northwood Retail—the company that leases and manages The Shops at Park Lane, where Whole Foods Market is an anchor tenant—views the acquisition as a positive. “I think there’s a bit of excitement around this transaction,” he said. “I think we’re optimistic about this and very curious at the same time. I think that’s globally the feeling.”
When it comes to picking up groceries in Dallas, residents have plenty of options because of the number of grocers with operations in North Texas. In addition to Whole Foods Market, companies including Kroger, Natural Grocers, Tom Thumb, Sprouts, Walmart, H-E-B and its Central Market brand all have a presence in Dallas, among other cities here. “The grocery market in Dallas is very competitive—as competitive as anywhere in the country,” Kampf said. Read More >