Whole Foods recently cut 1,500 jobs to 'invest in technology' - here's one flagship example of the tech being rolled out
AP
Last month, Whole Foods said it would be cutting up to 1,500 jobs - or about 1.6% of its workforce to help it save money so it could lower costs and invest in new technology.
Specifically, it said: "As part of its ongoing commitment to lower prices for its customers and invest in technology upgrades while improving its cost structure, Whole Foods Market will reduce a number of positions over the next eight weeks."
This is an interesting feather in the hat for Infor, the company run by former Oracle president Charles Phillips (its CEO) and many other Oracle alums.
As we previously reported, Infor recently poached several executives from Oracle's retail unit to help it land a big new customer and create this new retail product.
In this case, Whole Foods is more than just the first customer. Whole Foods is being described as the product's "co-creator" and "a working lab" for the new system, even though Infor will sell this retail cloud service to other retailers, the companies say in their press release.
A rough year for Whole Foods
A massive new system to help Whole Foods improve its supply chain seems like a smart move.
Whole Foods has been having a rough year.
The company has been trying to change its image as an excessively costly grocery store. That wasn't helped when The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs accused the grocer of systematically overcharging for prepackaged foods by labeling food with incorrect weights.
Business Insider/Julie Bort
Meanwhile, animal rights group PETA has also filed a lawsuit alleging that the grocer's claims of buying meat from humane farms is misleading.
More recently, Whole Foods announced it would stop selling products made by inmates.
Whole Foods is also in the process of launching a new line of budget food stores, known as 365 by Whole Foods Market. It's first planned store has had some controversy too, with some residents protesting it, wanting a regular Whole Foods instead.
All of this means that Whole Foods and newfound partner Infor will be under a microscope as they create this new system. If it does allow Whole Foods to better defend against supply chain accusations while also lowering prices, that's going to be a big win for everyone.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- One of the world's only 5-star airlines seems to be considering asking business-class passengers to bring their own cutlery
- Experts warn of rising temperatures in Bengaluru as Phase 2 of Lok Sabha elections draws near
- Axis Bank posts net profit of ₹7,129 cr in March quarter
- 7 Best tourist places to visit in Rishikesh in 2024
- From underdog to Bill Gates-sponsored superfood: Have millets finally managed to make a comeback?
- 7 Things to do on your next trip to Rishikesh