Amazon has announced that it is closing the doors on all of its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go physical store locations across the United States as it shifts its grocery strategy toward delivery services and the expansion of Whole Foods Market. The company said in a statement that it plans to shutter these stores by Feb. 1, with some locations remaining open longer only to meet state labor rules, particularly in California.
Amazon currently operates 57 Amazon Fresh stores and 15 Amazon Go stores across the United States. The closures mark the end of the company’s decade-long experiment with its own branded grocery and convenience formats.
Why Amazon Is Making the Change
#BREAKING: Amazon is closing all of its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh grocery stores while ramping up online grocery delivery — a sweeping shift that could reshape how millions of Americans shop for food. Details: https://t.co/OlnFcGmVlB pic.twitter.com/NlBKffft17
— KTLA (@KTLA) January 27, 2026
In its announcement, Amazon said it has seen “encouraging signals” from its branded grocery stores but has not yet achieved a distinctive customer experience with a sustainable economic model for wide-scale expansion.
The company will maintain its online grocery services, including Amazon Fresh delivery, which remains available in many areas. Amazon also said it plans to grow its same-day grocery delivery service, especially for fresh and perishable foods. The delivery service now reaches thousands of U.S. cities and towns, and the company told investors it plans to expand those same-day options further in 2026.
CEO Andy Jassy and other leaders have previously highlighted the importance of delivery growth. On past earnings calls, Jassy noted that online grocery sales, including perishables delivered to customers’ doors, are a key focus area. Expanding same-day delivery aligns with broader shifts in how consumers shop for food and essentials.
Whole Foods Takes Center Stage
Amazon acquired Whole Foods Market in 2017, and that brand will now become the centerpiece of its physical grocery efforts. The company said it plans to open more than 100 new Whole Foods Market stores in the coming years.
Part of this growth includes expanding the Whole Foods Market Daily Shop format — smaller, neighborhood-style stores with a curated selection of fresh foods, ready-to-eat meals, coffee, and everyday staples. This format has already been introduced in several locations and will grow as part of Amazon’s broader grocery strategy.
Some of the soon-to-close Amazon Fresh and Go stores are expected to be converted into Whole Foods Market locations or rebranded under the Whole Foods umbrella.
Grocery Delivery and Customer Trends
Online grocery delivery is a major part of Amazon’s plan moving forward. The company reported that groceries can now be delivered to more than 5,000 U.S. cities and towns, and it is expanding its Same-Day Delivery service for fresh foods and household items.
Amazon says perishable grocery sales through its online services have grown significantly since adding fresh delivery options. In areas where same-day delivery is available, fresh items have consistently ranked among the most-ordered products.
This focus on delivery reflects a broader change in consumer behavior. Many customers now expect fast, convenient grocery delivery rather than traditional weekly store trips — trends that Amazon aims to serve through its online infrastructure rather than physical grocery stores.
Technology and Future Retail Concepts
Amazon is closing all of its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh physical stores in a shift to focus on its online same-day delivery service https://t.co/NiXWfR70Kv
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) January 27, 2026
Even as Amazon closes its Fresh and Go stores, some technology developed for those formats will continue in other ways. The company’s “Just Walk Out” checkout technology, pioneered in Amazon Go stores, will remain in use and is being expanded into third-party locations such as airports and sports venues.
Amazon also said it is testing new physical retail concepts. One example is Amazon Grocery, a store-within-a-store format launched alongside Whole Foods Market in Chicago. Another planned concept is a supercenter-style store that could combine groceries, household essentials, and general merchandise. Details, including opening dates for these new formats, have not yet been released.
Impact on Workers and Customers
Amazon said it is working to support employees affected by the closures, including options to transfer to other roles within the company’s fulfillment and operations network.
Customers who rely on Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores for in-person shopping will lose those local options. However, Amazon’s online Fresh services will continue where available, offering access to groceries through delivery.
Where Amazon’s Grocery Business Stands
Since acquiring Whole Foods in 2017, Amazon has seen the grocer grow to more than 550 locations and late-2025 sales growth overall topping 40 percent compared with earlier periods, according to the company’s statement.
By realigning around delivery and Whole Foods, Amazon aims to strengthen the parts of its grocery business that are most profitable and scalable for future growth.
Featured image: Amazon
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