Amazon is set to close all 14 of its Amazon Fresh physical stores in the UK, with five of the sites planned for conversion into Whole Foods Market outlets.聽
If the proposal goes ahead, Whole Foods Market will operate 12 stores in the UK by the end of 2026, including a new site in Chelsea and another planned for Greater London.
The move follows what the business described as 鈥榓 thorough evaluation of business operations鈥� and reflects the company鈥檚 view that the strongest opportunities for growth lie in online grocery delivery.聽
A consultation process has begun with affected employees and Amazon says it aims to redeploy as many staff as possible elsewhere in the business.
鈥淪ince 2008, we’ve worked hard to innovate to help our customers save time and money when shopping for groceries and household essentials,鈥� said John Boumphrey, country manager, Amazon UK.聽
鈥淲e continue to invent and invest to bring more choice and convenience to UK customers, enabling them to shop for a wide range of everyday essentials and groceries with low prices and fast delivery through Amazon.co.uk, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market stores, alongside our third-party grocery partners, including Morrisons, Co-op, Iceland and Gopuff.鈥�
While scaling back its in-person presence, the global giant is expanding its online grocery operations.聽
It plans to more than double the number of UK Prime members with access to three or more grocery delivery options via Morrisons, Co-op, Iceland and Gopuff by early next year, bringing coverage to over 80% of members.聽
By 2026, it will also launch same-day delivery of fresh groceries such as fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy directly through Amazon.co.uk, a service already rolled out in the US.
The company says it remains committed to the UK, where it has pledged to invest 拢40 billion over the next three years.聽
Boumphrey continued: 鈥淲e鈥檙e deeply invested in the UK鈥檚 economic growth and creating opportunities for both customers and employees.
鈥淲e鈥檒l be working hard to support any potentially impacted teams throughout these planned changes and are deeply grateful for their dedication.鈥�