Amazon has revealed plans to shutter all its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores, signaling a significant shift in its retail approach toward grocery consumer engagement. The Seattle-based company declared the decision in a blog post on Tuesday, outlining a pivot to concentrate efforts on grocery delivery services, the expansion of its Whole Foods Market outlets, and the introduction of a new “supersized” retail concept.
Amazon currently runs 57 Amazon Fresh stores and 15 Amazon Go stores in various locations across the United States. According to the company, some of the soon-to-be-closed locations will be converted into Whole Foods Market stores, reinforcing its investment in this brand post-acquisition. The firm acknowledged that while Amazon-branded grocery stores have shown promising signals, they have not yet delivered a uniquely compelling customer experience accompanied by an economically viable model suitable for large-scale proliferation.
The company reassured customers that Amazon Fresh grocery services remain accessible online in areas where fast delivery options exist. Operations for the Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores will cease by February 1, except for outlets in California which will remain operational longer to fulfill local regulatory requirements.
Since acquiring Whole Foods Market in 2017, Amazon reports over 40% growth in sales and plans to expand the chain beyond its existing 550-plus stores with over 100 new locations scheduled to open in the coming years. This expansion reflects Amazon’s strategic focus on leveraging Whole Foods’ established footprint and customer base.
Customer behaviors have increasingly favored online delivery channels for everyday groceries and fresh produce, a trend Amazon is actively capitalizing on. The company currently serves approximately 5,000 U.S. cities and towns, offering grocery delivery including perishables and staples. Notably, same-day delivery services cover thousands of these areas, and Amazon has indicated intentions to broaden this service further driven by strong customer demand.
Despite closing its Amazon Go and Fresh retail locations, Amazon continues to invest in physical retail innovations. A newly announced “supercenter” concept aims to provide shoppers with an extensive selection across fresh groceries, household goods, and general merchandise, although details on launch timelines and specifics are forthcoming. This new store format signals an ongoing commitment to evolve in-store shopping experiences.
Additionally, Amazon is piloting an in-store format named Amazon Grocery, introduced within Whole Foods Market locations such as those in Chicago and Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. This concept enables customers to purchase groceries and household essentials linked to Amazon’s broad inventory.
Amazon Go stores originally debuted in 2018 with a technology-driven model allowing customers to pick up items and leave without checkout lines, leveraging “just walk out” technology. These stores have functioned as test beds for this innovation, which is now deployed in over 360 third-party locations globally across five countries.
The company has extended the application of its “just walk out” technology to internal Amazon operations, implemented in more than 40 North American fulfillment centers to streamline employee meal purchases without checkout queues. This rollout is expected to continue into 2026. Meanwhile, Amazon Fresh launched its first physical store in 2020 offering a variety of national brand products alongside fresh produce, meat, and seafood selections.