Amazon announced it will close all of its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores, redirecting resources to its grocery delivery service, Whole Foods Market, and a new large-scale retail concept.
At a Glance
- Amazon will shut all Go and Fresh stores by Feb. 1.
- Some locations will become Whole Foods Market stores.
- The company is expanding same-day delivery to 5,000 U.S. cities.
- Why it matters: The move signals a shift from experimental physical stores to a delivery-centric grocery strategy.
Closing of Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh
Amazon operates 57 Amazon Fresh stores and 15 Amazon Go stores. In a blog post on Tuesday, the company said it will close all of these locations, except for its California sites that will remain open longer to meet state requirements. The final day of operation is Feb. 1.
> “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,” the company said.
The decision reflects Amazon’s assessment that its physical grocery concepts have not yet achieved the economic viability required for broad roll-out.
Conversion to Whole Foods Market
Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods Market in 2017 has driven more than 40% sales growth and expansion to more than 550 locations. The retailer now plans to open over 100 new Whole Foods stores in the coming years. Some of the shuttered Go and Fresh sites will be converted into Whole Foods locations, leveraging the existing grocery infrastructure.
Grocery Delivery Expansion
Amazon is now delivering groceries to 5,000 U.S. cities and towns, including thousands served by same-day delivery. Customers can shop produce, perishables, and staples online for fast and convenient delivery. The company plans to expand its same-day service to more areas this year based on strong customer feedback.
New Supercenter Concept
On Tuesday, Amazon revealed plans to open a “new supercenter” retail concept. The supercenter will combine fresh groceries, household essentials, and general merchandise, offering a broad selection under one roof. No launch date or additional details were provided.
Amazon Grocery Format
Amazon is also testing a new in-store format called Amazon Grocery, launched alongside Whole Foods Market in Chicago. This format, available at the Whole Foods Market in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, lets customers shop for groceries and household essentials from Amazon while inside a Whole Foods store.
Technology and Innovation Hubs
Amazon Go locations have served as innovation hubs for the company’s “just-walk-out” technology. That technology now powers checkout in more than 360 third-party locations across five countries. Amazon is expanding the system to its own operations, with more than 40 North American fulfillment centers using it in breakrooms today and plans for further rollout in 2026.
The technology allows employees to grab meals without checkout delays, improving efficiency across Amazon’s supply chain.
Future Plans and Experiments
While Amazon is closing its current Go and Fresh stores, it remains committed to experimenting with new physical store formats. The company’s focus on delivery and large-scale retail concepts reflects a broader strategy to integrate technology, convenience, and grocery shopping.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon will close all Go and Fresh stores by Feb. 1.
- Converted sites will become Whole Foods Market stores, expanding the chain.
- The retailer is expanding same-day grocery delivery to 5,000 cities.
- A new supercenter concept and Amazon Grocery format illustrate Amazon’s continued experimentation with physical retail.
- Technology developed in Go stores will be rolled out to fulfillment centers by 2026.
These moves underscore Amazon’s shift from experimental brick-and-mortar concepts to a delivery-first, technology-driven grocery strategy.
