Amazon's deal to buy US supermarket chain Whole Foods Market is likely to further rattle the local food and beverage industry ahead of its Australian launch.
Amazon, which in April confirmed its intention to launch in Australia, bought the US grocery retailer for $US13.7 billion ($18 billion).
The chain, which mostly operates in upmarket locations and markets itself as 'America's healthiest grocery store', has been struggling, according to The Australian Financial Review.
The deal is reportedly the biggest ever for the e-commerce giant, and will significantly lift its bricks and mortar presence.
