Amazon is scaling back its Amazon Fresh grocery footprint in Southern California, with plans to close four stores in the coming weeks.
According to a report from CNBC, the closures will affect locations in LaVerne, Mission Viejo, La Habra, and Whittier. Employees at the LaVerne store were reportedly informed on 1 October that the store would shut its doors in mid-November, with staff offered severance packages.
“Certain locations work better than others, and after an assessment, we’ve made the decision to close these Amazon Fresh locations,” an Amazon spokesperson told CNBC.
“We’re working closely with affected employees to help them find new roles within Amazon wherever possible.”
The move follows a broader recalibration of Amazon’s grocery strategy. Earlier this year, the company closed four additional Amazon Fresh locations in Virginia, California, New York, and Washington, while opening a new store in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Amazon has also announced plans to close all 19 of its Amazon Fresh stores in the UK, with five being converted to Whole Foods Market stores.
Despite the cutbacks, Amazon says it remains committed to its grocery ambitions. “We remain committed to Amazon Fresh and our broader grocery strategy and will continue to refine our portfolio of stores as we learn which locations and features resonate most with customers,” the company said in a previous statement.
Launched in 2020, Amazon Fresh was designed to blend digital convenience with in-store innovation, featuring smart shopping carts, palm-based payment via Amazon One, and exclusive Prime discounts.
Recent openings in New Jersey, Illinois, California, and Pennsylvania reflect Amazon’s ongoing experimentation with the format, even as it trims underperforming sites.
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