At a Glance
- Amazon will shut down every Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh storefront, closing on Feb. 1, except California locations.
- The company plans to convert some of those sites into Whole Foods Market stores, adding more than 100 new locations over the next few years.
- Amazon continues to grow its grocery delivery network to 5,000 U.S. cities, expanding same-day service and testing new store concepts.
- Why it matters: The shift signals a move from physical retail experiments to a focus on delivery and Whole Foods expansion, reshaping the grocery landscape.
Introduction
Amazon announced that it will close every Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh storefront, shifting its emphasis toward grocery delivery, Whole Foods Market expansion, and a new “supercenter” concept. The company said the closures will take effect on Feb. 1, with California locations remaining open longer to meet state rules. This decision follows Amazon’s 2017 acquisition of Whole Foods and its ongoing experimentation with innovative store formats.
Store Closures and Transition
Amazon said in a blog post on Tuesday that it will shut down its 57 Amazon Fresh and 15 Amazon Go locations. The last day of operation is Feb. 1, except for California stores. The company will convert some shuttered sites into Whole Foods Market stores.
- 57 Amazon Fresh stores
- 15 Amazon Go stores
- Conversion to Whole Foods in select locations
- California stores remain open longer due to state requirements
Expanding Delivery and Whole Foods Growth
Amazon continues to deliver groceries to 5,000 U.S. cities and towns, offering same-day delivery in many areas. The company plans to expand same-day service this year. Since buying Whole Foods in 2017, Amazon has seen more than 40% sales growth and expanded to more than 550 locations, with plans for over 100 new 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,” said Amazon.
Future Store Concepts and Technology
Amazon is testing a new in-store format called Amazon Grocery, launched alongside Whole Foods in Chicago and Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. The company also plans a “new supercenter” concept that would combine fresh groceries, household essentials, and general merchandise. No timing details were provided.
Amazon’s Amazon Go locations served as “innovation hubs” for its “just walk-out” technology, now used in more than 360 third-party locations across five countries. The company is expanding the technology to over 40 North American fulfillment centers, with further rollout planned for 2026 to help employees grab meals without checkout delays.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Amazon acquires Whole Foods Market |
| 2018 | First Amazon Go opens in Seattle |
| 2020 | First Amazon Fresh store launches |
| 2024 | Announcement to close Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh |
| 2024 | Plans to open new supercenter concept |
Amazon Go and Fresh Insights
Amazon introduced its first Amazon Go concept in 2018 in Seattle, letting shoppers take items off shelves and walk out, with the system charging customers after they leave. The company gathered valuable insights from these stores, which helped develop checkout solutions used worldwide.
The first Amazon Fresh physical store opened in 2020, featuring national brands, produce, meat, and seafood. Amazon continues to experiment with physical formats while focusing on delivery and Whole Foods growth.
Key Takeaways
- All Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores will close on Feb. 1, except California locations.
- Some closed sites will become Whole Foods Market stores, adding over 100 new locations.
- Amazon’s grocery delivery reaches 5,000 U.S. cities, with same-day service expanding.
- Amazon is testing new store concepts and expanding its just-walk-out technology to fulfillment centers.
Categories: Business News, Corporate News, Tech News
