Amazon Fresh to shut all UK stores as it ramps up online presence

Amazon confirmed it has entered consultation on the closure of 14 Amazon Fresh stores, while five sites will be converted into Whole Foods Market locations. It added that it plans to have 12 Whole Foods stores trading in the UK by the end of 2026.

The tech giant said the move marks a shift to online grocery and that by early 2026, it would more than double the number of Prime members with access to three or more grocery delivery partners.

Once the expansion is complete, the business forecasts that over 80% of UK Prime households will be able to shop for groceries from at least one of Amazon’s partners.

“Since 2008, we’ve worked hard to innovate to help our customers save time and money when shopping for groceries and household essentials,” said Amazon UK country manager John Boumphrey.

“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.”

The news comes after a period of turbulence for the retailer, which in recent years has closed stores, scrapped its ‘Just Walk Out’ checkout technology, and scaled back grocery delivery in many UK cities.

Yet in July, Amazon appeared to make the first steps in expanding its online grocery presence, with the launch of its partnership with rapid delivery operator Gopuff.

The changes also come alongside Amazon’s £40bn UK investment plan, revealed earlier this year, which includes new fulfilment centres and thousands of new jobs.