California Inc.: A new era dawns as Whole Foods cuts some prices

Welcome to California Inc., the weekly newsletter of the L.A. Times Business Section. Traders return to business Monday after learning Friday that orders for long-lasting manufactured goods sank 6.8% in July, the biggest fall in nearly three years. Even so, manufacturers have rebounded from a slump in late 2015 and early 2016 caused by cutbacks in the energy industry and a strong dollar. Cheaper food: The impact of Amazon's purchase of Whole Foods Market will reach consumers Monday, when the high-end grocery chain begins cutting prices. Whole Foods will reduce prices on certain "bestselling staples," including bananas, salmon and organic large brown eggs.