Amazon to Ditch Go and Fresh Stores, Expand Whole Foods Market Amidst Shift in Grocery Retail Strategy.
In a move that signals a significant overhaul of its grocery retail strategy, Amazon has announced the closure of all remaining physical stores for its two sub-brands: Go and Fresh. The company plans to convert most locations into Whole Foods Market spots while also expanding same-day delivery options to more cities over the coming year.
The decision comes as part of an overall effort by Amazon to increase focus on grocery retailing, particularly through its Whole Foods acquisition in 2017. By shuttering the standalone Go and Fresh stores, the company aims to streamline its presence in the grocery market and bolster sales growth for its existing Whole Foods chain.
However, despite plans to close many physical stores under the Go and Fresh brand, Amazon is continuing to invest heavily in new retail locations. The company aims to open over 100 new Whole Foods Market locations within the next few years, as well as five more convenience-store style Daily Shop locations by the end of this year.
Additionally, Amazon remains committed to testing new physical store experiences, such as its Amazon Grocery location in Chicago and a Whole Foods concept store in Pennsylvania. The company's vision for its retail strategy appears to be centered on evolving grocery shopping experiences that integrate seamlessly with its e-commerce platform.
While the shutdown of Go and Fresh stores marks an important turning point in Amazon's retail trajectory, it remains unclear how this shift will impact competition in the grocery market or consumer perceptions of the brand.
In a move that signals a significant overhaul of its grocery retail strategy, Amazon has announced the closure of all remaining physical stores for its two sub-brands: Go and Fresh. The company plans to convert most locations into Whole Foods Market spots while also expanding same-day delivery options to more cities over the coming year.
The decision comes as part of an overall effort by Amazon to increase focus on grocery retailing, particularly through its Whole Foods acquisition in 2017. By shuttering the standalone Go and Fresh stores, the company aims to streamline its presence in the grocery market and bolster sales growth for its existing Whole Foods chain.
However, despite plans to close many physical stores under the Go and Fresh brand, Amazon is continuing to invest heavily in new retail locations. The company aims to open over 100 new Whole Foods Market locations within the next few years, as well as five more convenience-store style Daily Shop locations by the end of this year.
Additionally, Amazon remains committed to testing new physical store experiences, such as its Amazon Grocery location in Chicago and a Whole Foods concept store in Pennsylvania. The company's vision for its retail strategy appears to be centered on evolving grocery shopping experiences that integrate seamlessly with its e-commerce platform.
While the shutdown of Go and Fresh stores marks an important turning point in Amazon's retail trajectory, it remains unclear how this shift will impact competition in the grocery market or consumer perceptions of the brand.