Amazon Shutters Fresh and Go Stores Nationwide

Retail giant to focus on Whole Foods expansion and online grocery delivery.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Amazon announced it will be closing all of its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go physical grocery store locations across the country, with the final day of operations set for February 1st. The abrupt shutdown comes as a surprise, as the company had previously championed its push into physical retail to compete with traditional supermarkets.

Why it matters

The closure of Amazon's branded grocery stores marks an unexpected end to the company's years-long strategy to expand its physical retail footprint. It signals a shift in Amazon's focus toward its Whole Foods Market brand and online grocery delivery services, as the tech giant reevaluates the economic model needed for large-scale expansion of its own grocery store concepts.

The details

Amazon said it will be closing all of its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores, with the final day of operations set for February 1st. The announcement caught many customers and employees off guard, as the stores will reopen on Wednesday only to permanently close just days later. The company cited a lack of a "truly distinctive customer experience" and the right "economic model" as reasons for the sudden shutdowns.

  • Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores will reopen on Wednesday, January 29th.
  • All Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores will permanently close on Sunday, February 1st.

The players

Amazon

The multinational technology company that operates the Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go grocery store concepts, as well as the Whole Foods Market brand.

Tony Del Mundo

A customer who regularly shopped at the Amazon Fresh store off Aurora Avenue in Seattle.

Kevin Moy

A Seattle Central District resident who chose his apartment based on its proximity to the now-closing Amazon Fresh store.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What? This is crazy.”

— Jessica Del Mundo, Customer

“My wife likes this one because of the hot food. The prices here are a lot better than Safeway and lot of the other places. This is the cheapest place to get spam. We're from Hawaii, and it's cheaper than in Hawaii.”

— Tony Del Mundo, Customer

“I'm super bummed. I hope there will be a replacement.”

— Kevin Moy, Customer

What’s next

Amazon said it will focus on its grocery delivery services and Whole Foods Market brand, with plans to open over 100 new Whole Foods locations in the coming years. Some of the shuttered Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores may be converted into Whole Foods Market stores.

The takeaway

The closure of Amazon's branded grocery stores represents a significant shift in the company's retail strategy, as it pivots away from its own physical grocery concepts to instead concentrate on its Whole Foods acquisition and online grocery delivery services. This move underscores the challenges Amazon has faced in establishing a truly differentiated and economically viable grocery store model to compete with traditional supermarkets.