Amazon Fresh to shut all UK stores

(Sharecast News) - Amazon said on Tuesday that it's planning to shut all Amazon Fresh grocery stores in the UK as it looks to focus on online delivery, putting around 250 jobs at risk. The company said it will close 14 till-less Amazon Fresh stores, converting five to the Whole Foods Market brand.

The move is part of a broader plan to focus on online grocery delivery, including expanding partnerships with Morrisons, Co-op, and Iceland, Amazon said.

The company said a focus on online delivery is part of its broader commitment to the UK, having announced in June that it was planning to invest £40bn over the next three years, creating thousands of full-time jobs, building new fulfilment centres, and "driving innovation across its operations".

John Boumphrey, country manager, 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, 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."

Amazon launched the Fresh stores in the UK in 2021.