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Amazon to Close All U.S. Fresh and Go Stores, Shifts Grocery Focus to Online and Whole Foods

Amazon says the small-format chains never achieved a scalable economic model.

Overview

  • Seventy‑two Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go locations will shut, with most closures taking effect February 1, 2026 and California sites following 45 days later for legal reasons.
  • Amazon will emphasize online ordering and delivery and expand its Whole Foods footprint, with some former Fresh and Go sites to be converted into Whole Foods stores.
  • Just Walk Out cashierless technology will continue to be marketed and deployed to third parties, now in use at more than 360 locations in five countries and in over 40 Amazon logistics cafeterias.
  • The company has not disclosed the number of affected employees, and reporting indicates offers of transfers or severance packages that include 90 days of pay and benefits.
  • Amazon reports rapid growth in grocery delivery, offering fresh-food delivery in over 5,000 U.S. cities with same-day service in 2,300 locations and a fortyfold revenue increase since January 2025.