On August 26th, 2021, you will pass through Amazon’s freshest restaurants in Washington, DC.
Nicholas Cam | AFP | Getty Images
Amazon The plan is to close all fresh supermarkets in the UK in the latest readjustment of its grocery strategy.
In a blog on Tuesday, the company said it was preparing to close all of its fresh UK stores, “following a thorough evaluation of business operations and an extremely large growth opportunity in online distribution.” According to Amazon, five fresh locations are expected to be converted to Whole Foods stores.
Amazon opened its first fresh location outside the US in 2021 in London. This is about a year after the debut of its store concept in Los Angeles’ Woodland Hills area. The Fresh Store offers cheaper prices and more mass market items compared to Whole Foods, acquired by luxury supermarket chain Amazon for $13.7 billion in 2017.
Fresh store pullbacks in the UK will occur as Amazon continues to adjust its grocery ambitions. The company slowed the expansion of its fresh grocery chain and was able to go to cashierless stores in the US. It still maintains a 500 Whole Foods location and has opened a mini “Daily Shop” Whole Foods store in New York City.
At the same time, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and other company executives are promoting the success of selling “everyday essentials” in the online grocery business, which refers to items such as canned groceries, paper towels, dish soaps, and snacks.
Jassy told investors at the company’s annual shareholders meeting in May that it remains “bulwark” with groceries and calling it an “important business” for Amazon.
The company said Tuesday it plans to offer same-day delivery of groceries, including perishable items, in the UK starting next year.
Watch: Amazon launches Zoox Robotaxis in Las Vegas