Amazon is expanding the role of Jason Buechel, CEO of Whole Foods Market, to oversee its Worldwide Grocery Stores business, including Amazon Go convenience stores and Amazon Fresh physical and online stores. This move reflects Amazon’s efforts to integrate its various grocery operations while maintaining the brand identity of Whole Foods, according to a press release.
Buechel will report to Doug Herrington, Amazon Worldwide Stores CEO, under this leadership structure. He succeeds Tony Hoggett, who left his role as senior vice president in November 2023.
Amazon has been working on its grocery strategy for years, with mixed results. The company has introduced store formats, closed some stores and shifted away from its «Just Walk Out» checkout-free technology in its large-format Amazon Fresh stores.
Buechel joined Whole Foods in 2013 and has served as CIO and COO before becoming CEO in September 2022. Since taking over as CEO, he has helped Whole Foods achieve record sales growth and expand to over 535 locations.
«Since creating a single WW Grocery Stores organization in 2022, we have made notable progress in our vision to make grocery shopping simpler, faster and more affordable for customers,» Herrington said in the press release. «We’ve taken steps to integrate our huge grocery selection across our broader logistics network, and create a more seamless experience for customers, especially Prime members. This work will continue under Jason’s leadership.»
Amazon is also developing grocery concepts, such as a combination small-format Amazon store and Whole Foods, and automated micro-fulfillment centers within Whole Foods stores. The company is also testing a model that allows online customers to shop for grocery items and Amazon products together and have them delivered.
Amazon’s Just Walk Out checkout-free approach remains a key feature at Amazon Go stores and third-party retailers that use the company’s technology.