Amazon has decided to scale back its investment in developing the Amazon Go convenience store project. Shortly, eight retail chain stores will be closed. The company’s decision is associated with the decline in consumer demand and the strategy to reduce costs in the segment of physical retailing.
It is reported that two Amazon Go stores will be closed in New York, two in Seattle, and four in San Francisco. All stores mentioned above will cease operations on April 1, 2023. The company will look to hire lost employees.
“In this case, we have decided to close several Amazon Go stores in Seattle, New York and San Francisco. We remain committed to the Amazon Go format, operating more than 20 Amazon Go stores across the United States,” Amazon commented. The company said the project remains viable, and shortly, the retail chain will continue to develop by searching for new convenient locations for customers.
Earlier this year, Amazon announced its decision to cut to 18 thousand employees, with many of the cuts coming to the Internet giant’s food business. The cost-cutting moves come amid slowing sales and a worsening revenue outlook. Amazon has also temporarily halted the expansion of its Fresh retail chain.
Amazon Go had grown in the U.S. market since 2018, when it opened its first store in Seattle. Over the years, the company has taken its format to the U.K., but plans to build a chain of several thousand stores have never materialized.
