Amazon to buy Whole Foods

A roaster is installed in the coffee roasting area at the new Whole Foods Market March 10, 2017, in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. The grocery chain, known for its organic options, had been facing increased pressure from rivals. Its sale to Amazon is expected to close in the second half of 2017.

Bridget Griffin paints signs at the new Whole Foods Market March 10, 2017, in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. As part of the announced sale to Amazon, Whole Foods will keep operating stores under its name and John Mackey will remain as CEO, with headquarters in Austin, Texas.

Craft beers sit on a shelf at the new Whole Foods Market March 10, 2017, in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. Whole Foods, founded in 1978, has struggled to differentiate itself as competitors also now offer a plethora of fresh and organic foods.

Bins are filled with bulk items at the new Whole Foods Market March 10, 2017, in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. The grocery chain, known for its organic options, had been facing increased pressure from rivals.

Employees stock items in the older, smaller Whole Foods Market March 10, 2017, in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. The store was to be replaced by a larger Lakeview location.

Banners announcing the new Whole Foods Market hang in the old store March 10, 2017, in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. The older store was to be replaced by the new location.

Customers gather outside Sept. 28, 2016, during the grand opening of the Whole Foods Market at the corner of West 63rd and South Halsted streets in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago. Amazon announced June 16, 2017, that it will buy Whole Foods in a deal valued at about $13.7 billion

Whole Foods employee Mike Morgan, right, helps customer Earnestine Gardner, 73, shop for grapes Sept. 28, 2016, during the grand opening of the Whole Foods Market at the corner of West 63rd and South Halsted streets in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago.

A Whole Foods Market employee walks between customers Sept. 28, 2016, while they check out during the grand opening of the Whole Foods at West 63rd and South Halsted streets in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood.

Mindy Hauge, an associate local forager with Whole Foods Market, helps stock granola Sept. 27, 2016, at the new Whole Foods in the Englewood Square shopping center at West 63rd and South Halsted streets in Chicago. The store was hailed by some as a point of pride for the blighted area.

Nondairy, butter, yogurt and kefir items are displayed Sept. 27, 2016, at the new Whole Foods Market at the Englewood Square shopping center in Chicago on Sept. 27, 2016. Starbucks and Whole Foods have opened in the shopping center, fueling hopes for a revival of the commercial heart of the downtrodden neighborhood.