Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
- Amazon acquired Whole Foods Market in 2017 for $13.7 billion.
- Before the purchase, Whole Foods had seen declining sales for several quarters.
- Warren Buffett and Albertsons were two other potential buyers who said no to the opportunity.
Amazon acquired Whole Foods Market in 2017 for $13.7 billion after the grocery store chain ran into some financial trouble and sought a buyer.
Whole Foods Market's founder and CEO John Mackey wrote in his 2020 book "Conscioius Leadership" that the grocery chain had seen declining sales for several quarters before the purchase, and activist investors had planned a takeover.