Amazon has announced plans to close all 19 of its Fresh supermarkets in the UK as part of a strategic shift in its grocery operations.
The proposal follows a “thorough evaluation of business operations and the very substantial growth opportunities in online delivery,” according to a company blog post.
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The company has initiated a consultation with employees regarding the closures but did not disclose the number of staff affected.
Describing the decision as “difficult”, Amazon stated it aims to offer redeployment to as many affected staff as possible.
Five of the Fresh sites are to be converted into Whole Foods stores. Whole Foods is the US grocery store chain acquired by Amazon in 2017 for $13.7bn.
Amazon opened its first Fresh store in Ealing, west London, in 2021.
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By GlobalDataFresh stores offer a wide range of everyday grocery items aimed at a mass-market audience with more affordable products.
Whole Foods focuses on a curated selection of organic and natural premium groceries.
If the Whole Foods expansion proceeds, Amazon expects to operate 12 Whole Foods stores in the UK by the end of 2026.
Amazon outlined further plans to enhance its online grocery offerings.
The company aims to more than double the number of UK Prime members with access to three or more online grocery delivery options through partners Morrisons, Iceland, Co-op and Gopuff by early 2026.
This will enable more than 80% of UK Prime members to shop in at least one Amazon grocery partner.
The company also plans to introduce same-day perishable grocery delivery in the UK from 2026, following its US launch in August 2025.
Amazon UK country manager John Boumphrey stated: “We’re deeply invested in the UK’s economic growth and creating opportunities for both customers and employees.”
In June, the company announced a £40bn ($53.7bn) investment in the UK between 2025 and 2027.
The investment will be used to build new fulfilment centres in Hull, Northampton and the East Midlands, along with additional delivery stations, creating thousands of new permanent, full-time jobs, particularly outside London and the South East.
