Amazon to Close All Fresh and Go Stores in US

Amazon announced Tuesday that it will close all of its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go physical stores across the United States, affecting approximately 72 locations as the company shifts its grocery strategy toward Whole Foods Market and expanded delivery services. The decision impacts 57 Amazon Fresh supermarkets and 15 Amazon Go convenience stores, with most set to shutter by February 1, though California sites will remain open longer to meet state regulations. Some of the closing locations will be converted into Whole Foods Market outlets.

In a company blog post, Amazon explained the move stems from challenges in scaling its branded stores. "While we've seen encouraging signals in our Amazon-branded physical grocery stores, we haven't yet created a truly distinctive customer experience with the right economic model needed for large-scale expansion," the post stated. Customers will still be able to access Amazon Fresh products online in supported areas, with the company emphasizing fast and convenient delivery options.

The closures mark a pivot in Amazon's decade-long push into physical grocery retail. The company launched its first Amazon Go store in Seattle in 2018, introducing...