Amazon will close all 19 of its Fresh stores in the UK, just four years after launching the checkout-free shops. Five of the stores will be converted into Whole Foods Market outlets, the organic grocery chain Amazon acquired in 2017.
The first Fresh store opened in west London in 2021, allowing shoppers to walk out without using a till, with charges tracked by cameras and sensors. But the concept failed to gain traction after the pandemic, with Amazon unable to challenge major rivals like Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
Amazon did not confirm how many staff will be affected but said it will offer them roles in other parts of the company. The closures reflect a wider shift toward focusing on Whole Foods, which Amazon is increasingly integrating into its operations.
Alongside the closures, Amazon said it plans to expand grocery delivery options through partnerships with Morrisons, Co-op, Iceland and Gopuff. It will also allow UK shoppers to buy fresh groceries directly from its website next year.
The company is under scrutiny from regulators, with the Groceries Code Adjudicator investigating claims it delayed payments to suppliers. Amazon UK chief John Boumphrey said the firm would continue investing to bring “more choice and convenience” to grocery customers.
