"After being acquired by Amazon in mid-2018, the chain enacted notable price reductions—including reported drops of up to 40% on certain produce items like organic apples and avocados—while also introducing benefits such as a 10% Prime member discount and special weekly deals. Management frames these moves as a deliberate effort to soften the chain's longstanding 'whole paycheck' reputation, though some critics say the average grocery basket hasn't become substantially cheaper. Those pricing changes have diminished the distinction with the lower-cost store format, and the company is reportedly eyeing expansion into middle America by repurposing vacant Sears and Kmart locations." - Whitney Filloon