When Amazon announced on June 16 that the company planned to buy Whole Foods for $13.7 billion, everyone freaked.

After the news broke, shares of grocery giants like Target, Costco and Walmart dropped dramatically. Kroger's shares reached a three-year low. The Idaho-based grocery chain Albertsons has put its plans to go public on hold following the announcement.

Meanwhile, some Whole Foods suppliers have expressed relief about the merger. Sylvia Wyant, CEO of  Zest Brands, a maker of paleo diet treats, told NPR that the merger could open new distribution channels with online sales.

Some analysts say the move could help offset Amazon's biggest disadvantage the grocery industry – a lack of stores. Amazon recently launched a few pilot stores for its Amazon Fresh line. The Whole Foods purchase gives the online retailer a boost to its bricks-and-mortar operations to the tune of 460 locations in North America and the U.K. But that does little to close the gap with chains like Walmart, which has more than 4,600 stores worldwide.

Since details of the merger are still subject to regulatory approval and decisions among Whole Foods shareholders, little is known about what plans might be afoot or how the grocery landscape could change.

Read More

• Amazon and Whole Foods: What Experts Think Will Happen (Nasdaq)
• Amazon is acquiring Whole Foods - and Walmart, Target, and Kroger should be terrified (BusinessInsider)
• Why Whole Foods' Small Suppliers Think Amazon Will Be Good For Them (NPR)