Cult supermarket chain Amazon is to close two British stores
Amazon-owned supermarket chain CULT plans to close two UK branches and a distribution centre.
Whole Foods plans to close two market stores in Richmond and Fulham Broadway.
The distribution center in Dartford, which handles the business, will also close.
The retailer said the closures are part of its plans to “pave the way for new growth in the UK”.
Shoppers have been leaving the market stores with rave reviews online.
One shopper said: “One of my favorite places to shop and eat in London.”
Read more about store closures
Another said: “My choice for healthy options from helpful and knowledgeable staff!”
“This is the best deli in London,” said another.
A spokesperson for Whole Food told The Sun: “The proposed changes to our UK operations will pave the way for our growth here in the UK.
“They will enable us to invest in improving the customer and team member experience as we expand our footprint to serve more customers and communities across the UK”
“We are actively exploring new locations and look forward to opening more stores, including a new location on Chelsea’s King’s Road, which is expected to open next year.”
It’s not all bad news, though: Whole Foods fanatics can expect a new store to open next year.
The new store will be located on King’s Road London and will act as a new development in the former King’s Walk Shopping Centre.
The new store is expected to create 130 jobs.
Whole Foods in High Street Kensington is also undergoing extensive renovations as the Amazon retailer looks for new locations to open other stores in Britain.
Amazon Fresh closed two stores in Ealing, Wandsworth and East Sheen last year.
The announcement came just days after the chain opened new Fresh stores in Moorgate and Liverpool Street, London, but could not confirm exactly when.
What happens to the main street?
It’s not just Amazon and Whole Foods that are closing branches in Britain; a number of retailers are closing their stores.
The pandemic was a heavy blow, as many shops had to close during the lockdown.
Since then, energy costs have risen and more consumers than ever are choosing to order online instead of going to the store.
This has left some remaining retailers struggling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
For the most part, supermarkets have weathered the storm as they provide essential products such as food and drinks.
Asda is the only supermarket to open new branches, Lidl is looking for investors to build 12 supermarkets after opening two new stores last year.
But other retailers haven’t been so lucky. The Body Shop is currently going through administration and has announced plans to close half of its 198 stores, seven of which have already closed.
Boots revealed it would close 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to develop its brand.
WHSmith told The Sun it has no plans to open any more high street stores as it wants to focus on the travel side of its business.
Major banks have also announced the closure of several branches.
Barclays will begin pulling down the shutters at fourteen locations in England, three in Wales and three in Scotland from April.
Even charity shops are struggling. Oxfam confirmed last year that it would close eight of its UK stores.
Retailers will close stores in 2024
RETAILERS have been feeling the pressure since the pandemic, as shoppers cut back on spending due to the rising cost of living.
High energy costs and the switch to online shopping are also taking their toll, and many high street stores are struggling to continue.
Here’s a list of all the major brands closing their stores this year:
- Argos – The brand announced plans to close 100 standalone stores in the UK last year as it looks to break away from the high street and focus on expanding its supermarket presence.
- B&V – The chain has over 300 stores across the UK, so there’s a good chance there’s one near you, but some stores have closed in recent months.
- Boots – The health and beauty chain announced last July that it would close 300 stores. The closures are ongoing and will reduce the retailer’s store count from 2,200 to 1,900 stores.
- Clintons – Clintons late last year considered plans to close 38 stores in an effort to avoid bankruptcy. We have listed the affected stores.
- Costa coffee – The caffeine giant has around 2,000 locations nationwide, so there’s a good chance there’s one near you. The chain recently closed the doors of dozens of locations. We’ve revealed which stores are closing this year.
- Iceland – The supermarket has more than 900 stores, but closed almost twenty locations in 2023, and more select stores will close.
- Lidl – The supermarket, which has 950 stores, is changing store locations, causing a number of stores to close. But the retailer also wants to open twelve new supermarkets.
- MRS – M&S, which has 405 stores across the country, has closed a string of branches across the country in a blow to shoppers. But it’s not all bad news, because the chain also has big plans to open dozens of new stores.
- Offence – The company announced in July last year that it would close six branches, but more are in the pipeline.
- W.H.Smith – The retail giant, which operates more than 1,100 stores, has closed eight stores since March 2023, but more are on the way.
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