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Amazon is set to close all Amazon Fresh stores in the UK, shuttering 14 stores under the Amazon Fresh brand and converting a further five to Whole Foods stores.
It comes as the group said it wanted to focus more on the online delivery sector, and expand the sale of groceries through its main website.
If the Fresh closures and conversions proceed, Amazon will operate 12 Whole Foods Market stores in the UK by the end of 2026, including a recently opened branch in Chelsea and another planned in Greater London.
The company said it would consult with employees on the proposals and aims to redeploy as many staff as possible.
It follows what Amazon described as “substantial growth opportunities” in online delivery, with its UK grocery and household essentials category growing nearly twice as fast as other product categories in early 2025.
By early 2026 it plans to add perishable groceries such as dairy, meat and frozen food to Amazon.co.uk with same-day delivery, a service recently introduced in the United States.
The retail giant already delivers groceries online through its main UK site, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and partnerships with Morrisons, Co-op, Iceland and Gopuff. It said more than 80% of UK Prime members will soon have access to at least one grocery partner, with delivery speeds continuing to accelerate.
Alongside its grocery plans, Amazon said it remains committed to wider investment in the UK. In June, it announced plans to invest £40bn over three years, including new fulfilment centres and offices, and the creation of thousands of jobs.
John Boumphrey, country manager for Amazon UK, said: “Since 2008, we’ve worked hard to innovate to help our customers save time and money when shopping for groceries and household essentials. We continue to invent and invest to bring more choice and convenience to UK customers.
“We’ll be working hard to support any potentially impacted teams throughout these planned changes and are deeply grateful for their dedication. If the proposal moves forward, we’ll support our employees by offering alternative employment opportunities within Amazon wherever possible.”
