Amazon will shut all 19 of its Amazon Fresh stores in the UK, just four years after launching the format. Five of the outlets will be converted into Whole Foods Market shops, the US organic chain Amazon bought in 2017.
The first Fresh store opened in Ealing in 2021, allowing customers to walk out without using a till, with purchases tracked by sensors and cameras. But demand for contactless shopping fell after the pandemic, and the concept failed to compete with established grocers such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
Amazon has not confirmed how many staff will be affected, though it said workers would be offered roles in other parts of the business. The closures reflect a broader shift towards strengthening the Whole Foods brand, which Amazon has been integrating more closely into its operations.
The company also plans to expand grocery access for Prime members through partnerships with Morrisons, Iceland, Co-op and Gopuff. From next year, fresh groceries including dairy, meat and seafood will be available directly on the Amazon website.
The move comes as Amazon faces scrutiny over its grocery practices. The Groceries Code Adjudicator launched an investigation in June into late payments to suppliers.
“Since 2008, we’ve worked hard to innovate to help our customers save time and money,” said John Boumphrey, Amazon UK country manager. “We continue to invent and invest to bring more choice and convenience to UK customers.”
