How will Whole Foods’ new program requiring vendors to help pay for shelf space, displays and in-store sampling affect its business? What will it mean for rivals and for its vendor relationships?

Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments:
This is so not what Whole Foods should stand for. It seems the Amazon takeover of Whole Foods is having a negative effect rather than positive. I think this will be very bad in the long run for consumers and just another money grab for Amazon. I agree with Anne. This provides a good reason to go elsewhere.

Whole Foods asks vendors to pay to play