Amazon shutters all of its physical Go and Fresh stores | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Amazon shutters all of its physical Go and Fresh storesComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechAmazonCloseAmazonPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AmazonAmazon shutters all of its physical Go and Fresh storesThe closures are part of a move to double down on expanding Whole Foods Market.The closures are part of a move to double down on expanding Whole Foods Market.by Stevie BonifieldCloseStevie BonifieldNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Stevie BonifieldJan 27, 2026, 6:55 PM UTCLinkShareGiftPhoto by Michael Nguyen/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesStevie BonifieldCloseStevie BonifieldPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Stevie Bonifield is a news writer covering all things consumer tech. Stevie started out at Laptop Mag writing news and reviews on hardware, gaming, and AI.Amazon Go and Fresh physical store locations will soon be no more, with Amazon announcing on Tuesday that it’s closing the majority of the stores and converting others into Whole Foods Market locations. Customers will still be able to order from Amazon Fresh online, but won’t be able to shop at physical stores with the same name. Amazon is also planning to expand its same-day delivery option for groceries and household essentials to more cities over the coming year.At the same time, Amazon says it’s “planning to invest in opening more than 100 new Whole Foods Market stores over the next few years,” as well as five more convenience-store style Whole Foods Market Daily Shop locations by the end of this year.RelatedAmazon is testing 30-minute deliveriesAmazon’s grocery store dreams are reshaping Whole FoodsAmazon also stated that it will still be “testing new physical store experiences,” like its Amazon Grocery location in Chicago and a Whole Foods concept store in Pennsylvania, where shoppers can also purchase products from Amazon. Earlier this month, an Amazon proposal for a sprawling Walmart-like supercenter was approved in the Chicago suburb of Orland Park, Illinois. That development does not appear to be a Whole Foods Market, so Amazon’s plans for more of its own brick-and-mortar stores may still be in the works despite closing its book stores, 4-star stores, Pop Up shop, Style stores, and now Go and Fresh stores.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Stevie BonifieldCloseStevie BonifieldNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Stevie BonifieldAmazonCloseAmazonPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AmazonNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularI grew up with Alex PrettiTikTok USA is brokenPayment processors were against CSAM until Grok started making itEven the big dick subreddit is mad about ICETikTokers are heading to UpScrolled following US takeoverThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Amazon’s strategic realignment is underway, marked by the imminent closure of its Go and Fresh retail concepts and a decisive shift in focus towards expanding its Whole Foods Market presence. This restructuring, detailed by Stevie Bonifield, signifies a significant recalibration of Amazon’s approach to physical retail, prioritizing a more established brand and a concentrated strategy for grocery delivery and fulfillment. The decision to shutter the Go and Fresh stores, which represented Amazon’s foray into micro-fulfillment centers and smaller-format grocery stores, reflects a reassessment of the viability and scalability of this experimental retail model. The company's rationale, as communicated internally, appears to center on the superior brand recognition and customer loyalty associated with Whole Foods Market, a brand already deeply embedded within the premium grocery sector.

The closure isn't a complete abandonment of physical retail, however. Amazon continues to actively explore new store concepts, evidenced by the ongoing testing of a Chicago location and a Pennsylvania store incorporating Amazon products alongside Whole Foods offerings. A recently approved proposal for a large-scale supercenter-style store in Orland Park, Illinois, further demonstrates Amazon's continued interest in expanding its brick-and-mortar footprint, albeit under the Whole Foods Market banner. This suggests a planned, phased approach to retail diversification, leveraging the established infrastructure and customer base of Whole Foods while simultaneously retaining the capacity for novel retail experiences.

A key component of this strategy involves a substantial investment – planned to encompass over 100 new Whole Foods Market stores within the next few years – coupled with the launch of five ‘Daily Shop’ locations by the end of the current year. These Daily Shop locations, envisioned as convenience-oriented Whole Foods markets, represent a targeted effort to capitalize on the growing demand for quick, accessible grocery options, particularly within densely populated urban areas. The company’s commitment to accelerating same-day delivery across more cities over the coming year underscores the importance of efficient fulfillment networks in supporting this expanded retail strategy.

Furthermore, the ongoing exploration of new physical store concepts, like the Chicago and Pennsylvania models, indicates a desire to innovate within the grocery retail landscape while maintaining a degree of experimentation. This dual approach – consolidating around a trusted brand (Whole Foods) while simultaneously pursuing opportunities for unique retail experiences – reflects Amazon's characteristic agility and willingness to adapt its strategy based on market dynamics. The ultimate success of this realignment will hinge on the execution of these plans, particularly the rate of expansion for Whole Foods Market and the effectiveness of its same-day delivery services in reaching a broader consumer base. The company’s resources, technological prowess, and data-driven approach position it favorably to achieve these goals, but competition within the grocery sector remains intense, demanding continuous innovation and adaptation.