Amazon.com has announced plans to close its 19 Amazon Fresh convenience grocery stores in the UK, with five of those locations set to be converted into Whole Foods Market stores.

This decision comes less than five years after Amazon Fresh entered the UK market.

Pioneering “walk out” technology, Amazon Fresh allowed customers to bypass checkout lines while shopping for groceries, including items from its own “by Amazon” brand.

On Tuesday, the company stated that after evaluating its business strategy, it concluded that substantial growth opportunities lie in online delivery.

Amazon reported strong demand for household essentials and groceries through its various platforms, including Amazon.co.uk, Amazon Fresh online, Whole Foods Market and partnerships with retailers like Morrisons, Co-op, Iceland and Gopuff.

Looking ahead, Amazon plans to introduce perishable grocery items alongside everyday essentials on Amazon.co.uk, offering same day delivery starting next year.

The company, founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos, began as an online bookstore and has since evolved into a major player in e-commerce, cloud computing and digital services, positioning itself alongside other Big Tech firms like Nvidia, Microsoft and Apple.