Amazon announced it will close all Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh physical stores across the United States, ending its proprietary brick-and-mortar grocery and convenience retail operations. The decision affects roughly 70 locations nationwide and marks the conclusion of a multi-year effort to operate cashier-less convenience stores and Amazon-branded grocery outlets. Most closures are scheduled to be completed by early 2026, with timing variations in certain states due to regulatory requirements.
Amazon stated the closures reflect a determination that the Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh formats did not deliver a sufficiently differentiated customer experience or a scalable economic model. While the company will discontinue operating these storefronts, it will continue to use and license its “Just Walk Out” technology in other retail environments and internal operations. Some vacated locations may be repurposed or converted into other retail formats, including potential redeployment under existing grocery brands.
As part of the same strategic reset, Amazon is increasing its focus on Whole Foods Market, which remains the company’s primary physical retail presence in food. Amazon has indicated plans to expand the Whole Foods footprint and invest further in grocery delivery and same-day fulfillment services. The company continues to position online grocery, logistics, and delivery infrastructure as central components of its long-term retail strategy.
Separately, Amazon is conducting a new round of corporate layoffs, eliminating approximately 16,000 roles globally. The reductions follow earlier workforce cuts and are concentrated in corporate and administrative functions across multiple business units. Amazon has described the layoffs as part of a broader effort to streamline operations, reduce internal complexity, and reallocate resources toward core growth areas, including logistics, cloud services, and automation.