In March of this year, Amazon surprised many by moving to shutter its Amazon Books, Amazon 4-star and pop-up locations. A report on December 2 from Computer World indicated the layoffs could balloon to 20,000 as a pandemic-induced hiring spree gets reversed.

In mid-November, The New York Times reported that Amazon was planning to lay off approximately 10,000 employees, the devices organization, retail division and human resources being the hardest hit departments. While the company is on the hook for rent, maintenance and taxes, shutting down a store could also force Amazon to pay a fee for a lease withdrawal or severance to hired employees.” The Real Deal speculates, “It’s cheaper for the company to keep the stores in place while not operating, rather than ditch the stores altogether. Weeks of missed package notices were found at some unopened locations. The company has another 26 in development, with a recent Detroit Free Press report indicating two are heading to the Detroit region.

stores and 19 UK stores, Amazon has refrained from opening any new Fresh stores since September, despite appearing to complete at least seven locations, according to The Real Deal ’s analysis of The Information’s findings. Amazon’s pivot from rapid expansion to cost-cutting has left ‘zombie’ grocery stores like these across the country.”Īfter two years of expansion that resulted in 44 U.S. But the shelves are empty, the doors are locked and no employees are around. Wrote The Information, “For the most part, these Amazon Fresh stores look like they’re ready to open: The lights are on there are signs for meat, seafood, bread and 15-cent bananas. Throughout the U.S., a number of new Amazon Fresh stores have been built out, but are just sitting there, leading some to wonder if Amazon is quietly backing away from the Just Walk Out grocery concept.

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