Amazon will shut all 19 of its Amazon Fresh stores in the UK, just four years after opening the first in London. Five shops will be converted into Whole Foods Market outlets, reflecting a shift in focus toward the organic grocery chain Amazon bought in 2017.
Launched in 2021, Fresh stores used cameras and sensors to let customers leave without using tills, with charges applied through an app. The model failed to catch on after the pandemic as demand for contactless shopping declined and rivals like Tesco and Sainsbury’s maintained dominance.
Amazon has not confirmed how many staff will be affected but said it would offer alternative roles across the business. The closures come amid broader restructuring of Amazon’s grocery strategy, with tighter integration of Whole Foods into the company.
Amazon also aims to expand access to grocery services for UK Prime members through partnerships with Morrisons, Iceland, Co-op and Gopuff. From next year, customers will be able to buy fresh groceries, including dairy, meat and seafood, directly on Amazon’s website.
The company faces scrutiny from the Groceries Code Adjudicator, which launched an investigation in June into delayed supplier payments. Amazon said it remains committed to innovating in UK grocery retail, offering more convenience and choice through its online and partner networks.
