Amazon’s robots to run Whole Foods’ warehouses: Experts predict Jeff Bezos will use machines to revamp the distribution centres

Monday, June 26, 2017
By Paul Martin

Experts said Amazon sees most opportunities to reduce costs in warehouses
The firm may build automated warehouses that serve Amazon and Whole Foods
The next step will be introducing robots into stores to help maintain stock levels

By SHIVALI BEST
DailyMail.com
26 June 2017

Earlier this month, Amazon announced that it was buying Whole Foods in a deal valued at a huge £10.7 million ($13.7 million).

Now, in the hope of reducing costs, experts suggest that Amazon owner Jeff Bezos is likely to make big changes in the warehouses.

If they are are right, Amazon could automate many of the tasks within the Whole Foods warehouses, putting jobs at risk in the UK, US and Canada.

Experts told Bloomberg that Amazon sees the most immediate opportunities to reduce costs in the Whole Foods distribution centres.

Gary Hawkins, CEO of the Centre for Advancing Retail and Technology, said: ‘The easiest place for Amazon to bring its expertise to bear is in the warehouses, because that’s where Amazon really excels.

‘If they can reduce costs, they can show that on the store shelves and move Whole Foods away from the Whole Paycheck image.’

Company documents reviewed by Bloomberg before the acquisition was announced suggest that automation will be a key strategy used by Amazon.

Amazon already has thousands of robots in its own warehouses, and regularly files patents for new technologies and ideas.

Despite this move towards automation, the firm continues to hire human employees.

According to Bloomberg, Amazon had 351,000 employees at the end of March – 43 per cent up from 2016.

And in January, Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, pledged to hire 100,000 new workers over the next few months.

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