Amazon is closing all its Amazon Fresh supermarkets and Amazon Go convenience stores across the UK and US, with plans to convert several locations into Whole Foods Market outlets. The company made the announcement today, January 27, 2026, as part of a shift toward expanding same-day grocery delivery and growing its established Whole Foods chain. This change comes after years of testing smaller store formats that did not draw enough shoppers.
Background
Amazon launched its first Amazon Fresh store in Ealing, London, back in 2021. These stores let customers shop without checkout lines, using an app to charge them as they left. The idea was to make buying groceries quick and easy, tying into Amazon's strength in fast delivery. Amazon Go stores worked the same way, offering grab-and-go items like snacks and drinks for busy people on the move.
Over time, these stores did not catch on as hoped. Shoppers kept turning to online orders for groceries and home goods, especially after online shopping habits grew during the pandemic. Amazon bought Whole Foods Market in 2017 for $13.7 billion, bringing over 500 stores into its network, mostly in the US but expanding to the UK. Whole Foods sells fresh produce, organic foods, and prepared meals, and customers have told Amazon they enjoy the in-store experience there more than the smaller Fresh or Go setups.
The Fresh and Go concepts were experiments in physical retail without cashiers. In the UK, Amazon opened 19 Fresh stores and a handful of Go spots. But sales stayed low compared to the effort to run them. Amazon has spent years tweaking delivery services, partnering with stores like Morrisons and Co-op to get groceries to doors faster. Now, the company sees more promise in scaling up Whole Foods and delivery options over keeping the smaller stores open.
Key Details
Amazon plans to shut down all 19 Amazon Fresh stores in the UK, with talks underway about the closures. Out of these, five sites will switch to Whole Foods Market stores in 2026. The first conversions are set for locations that already have good foot traffic and fit Whole Foods' focus on quality food.
Store Closures and Conversions
In the US, Amazon will close all Amazon Fresh and Go stores too, though exact numbers are not public yet. The company aims to turn various locations into Whole Foods outlets where it makes sense. Whole Foods will grow by more than 100 new stores over the next few years, building on its current base. This expansion targets areas where customers want fresh groceries delivered the same day.
Amazon stressed it will offer new jobs to as many workers as possible from the closing stores. Staff can move to nearby Whole Foods sites, delivery centers, or other Amazon roles. The company is in talks with unions and workers to handle the changes smoothly.
"Since 2008, we've worked hard to innovate to help our customers save time and money when shopping for groceries and household essentials," said John Boumphrey, Amazon UK country manager. "We're deeply invested in the UK's economic growth and creating opportunities for both customers and employees."
Boumphrey added that Amazon will support affected teams and offer redeployment where possible.
Delivery services will ramp up in 2026, reaching more neighborhoods with same-day fresh grocery options. Customers can order through the Amazon app or website, picking from Whole Foods items and partners like Iceland and Gopuff.
What This Means
For shoppers, this shift means fewer small Amazon stores but more Whole Foods locations with a wider range of fresh foods. People who liked the no-checkout tech in Fresh and Go stores will still find it in some Whole Foods spots, as Amazon rolls out those systems there. Grocery delivery gets a boost, with promises of lower prices and quicker service to compete with rivals like Ocado and Tesco.
Workers face uncertainty, but Amazon's redeployment pledge could soften the blow. Past store closures at Amazon have led to most staff finding new spots within the company. The UK sites under consultation employ hundreds, and the focus is on keeping them on payroll.
Rivals feel the pressure too. Shares in Kroger, Instacart, and other delivery firms dropped after the news, as Amazon's grocery push looks set to grab more market share. Whole Foods stands to benefit most, with its brand loyal following and now extra stores from the conversions.
Amazon's move signals a return to basics in groceries: big stores for browsing and fast home delivery over experimental formats. The company has closed other ventures before, like bookstores, to double down on winners. Here, Whole Foods and delivery win out.
This realignment comes as grocery spending stays high post-pandemic. Families want convenience, and Amazon bets its scale in online and Whole Foods can deliver it better than standalone Fresh or Go shops. Conversions start soon, with full closures wrapped up by end of 2026 in most cases.
Local communities near closing stores may see short-term gaps in quick-shop options, but Whole Foods takeovers could fill them with more variety. Amazon plans community talks to explain impacts and job support programs.
