Aug 27 (Reuters) - Amazon.com ( AMZN ) will extend its

corporate staff programs, including pay structure and benefits,

to U.S. corporate employees at its Whole Foods chain of

supermarkets, aiming to integrate its grocery businesses more

closely.

The e-commerce giant said on Wednesday it would fully align

benefits for all corporate employees across grocery units by

December 2026, and that Whole Foods Market corporate employees

would retain their in-store discount perks until then.

They will also get a discount code offering a 10% discount

on Amazon ( AMZN ) merchandise, and gain access to Amazon's ( AMZN ) online portal

that offers its U.S. employees deals on items such as phone

plans, car insurance and travel and entertainment.

"As shared with employees in June, Whole Foods Market

corporate employees will move to the same programs and offerings

as the rest of Amazon ( AMZN ) corporate employees ... creating one

consistent experience across teams," spokesperson Lauren Snyder

said.

The move will help Amazon ( AMZN ) streamline collaboration across

divisions such as Whole Foods, the "Amazon Fresh" network of

online and physical grocery stores, and its cashierless

convenience store banner, Amazon Go.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the move on

Wednesday, saying Whole Foods employees will have about a month

to review their new titles, salaries and benefits.

Amazon ( AMZN ) has been sharpening focus on its grocery offerings in

the U.S., expanding its Prime fast-delivery option to perishable

food items and adding new cities in a bid to better compete with

retailers such as Walmart ( WMT ) and Kroger ( KR ), as well as

delivery services including Instacart.

The company has pledged more than $4 billion towards

expanding its delivery network in the U.S. by the end of 2026,

primarily focusing on small towns and rural areas.

Amazon ( AMZN ) acquired Whole Foods for $13.7 billion in 2017, when

the supermarket chain was known for offering organic foods at

higher prices. Following the acquisition, Amazon ( AMZN ) moved to slash

prices and offer Whole Foods groceries via its Prime

subscription.

(Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika

Syamnath)