NEW YORK (AP) — Why is Amazon spending nearly $14 billion for Whole Foods?
It isn't just about getting more than 460 grocery stores. Ultimately, Amazon wants to sell Amazon and Whole Foods shoppers alike even more goods and services — including stuff they might not even realize they need.
For that, Amazon will tap data-driven insights into how shoppers behave offline.
Amazon has been quiet on its specific plans so far, but analysts are enthusiastic about the possibilities. Say, you buy a lot of ingredients typically found in Asian recipes. Amazon might then suggest a Thai or Japanese cookbook. It might also recommend a new rice cooker.
The tracking might feel creepy, but one privacy expert, Larry Ponemon, says Amazon and Whole Foods have both earned a high level of trust and loyalty.