News Summary
Amazon has announced the closure of four Amazon Fresh supermarkets in Southern California by mid-November as part of its store performance reevaluation. The locations in La Habra, La Verne, Mission Viejo, and Whittier will shut down on November 16. Although this decision disappoints local customers, Amazon continues to operate 19 Fresh stores in the area and has opened six new ones since October 2024. The closures form part of a broader strategy reevaluation that includes updates to grocery operations and the introduction of a new private label brand.
La Habra, California – Amazon has announced plans to close four Amazon Fresh supermarkets in Southern California by mid-November as part of a reevaluation of store performance. The affected stores, located in La Habra, La Verne, Mission Viejo, and Whittier, will officially close their doors on November 16, 2025. Following these closures, Amazon will continue to operate 19 Fresh stores in the region, which accounts for nearly one-third of its total 62 stores across a nine-state area.
California currently holds the record for the highest number of Amazon Fresh locations, boasting 26 stores statewide. Amazon has not provided details on the number of employees affected by these closures. However, a company spokesperson stated that they are committed to working closely with the impacted employees to help them find new roles within Amazon.
The specific addresses of the closing stores are:
- 26940 Crown Valley Parkway, Mission Viejo
- 15225 Whittier Blvd., Whittier
- 2229 Foothill Blvd., La Verne
- 1610 W. Imperial Highway, La Habra
Customers in the areas impacted by the closures can still shop online after the stores shut down. Local shoppers have expressed disappointment over the decision, emphasizing their reliance on these supermarkets for convenient grocery access.
Despite the closures, Amazon Fresh has also opened six new stores in California since October 2024, creating over 600 new jobs. Additionally, the company launched four new operations sites in Southern California over the past year, demonstrating its ongoing investment in the region.
A broader strategic reevaluation of its grocery business appears to be underway not only in the U.S. but internationally as well. Recently, Amazon announced the closure of 14 Fresh stores and the conversion of five others to Whole Foods locations in the United Kingdom, affecting up to 250 employees there. Historically, Amazon has been known to convert some Fresh supermarkets into Whole Foods outlets.
Amazon Fresh, which was launched in the U.S. in 2020, was designed to penetrate the mass-market grocery segment. These stores feature Amazon’s advanced “Dash Cart” checkout-free technology, enhancing the shopping experience for customers. The recent closures coincide with Amazon’s introduction of a new private label grocery brand called Amazon Grocery, catering to price-conscious shoppers. The Amazon Grocery line offers over 1,000 items, with most products priced under $5, including dairy, fresh produce, meat, seafood, snacks, and baking essentials.
Amazon remains committed to operating approximately 500 Whole Foods locations across the country and has introduced smaller “daily shop” Whole Foods formats in urban areas. However, Amazon has decided to remove its “Just Walk Out” cashierless technology from Fresh stores as part of its structural evaluations.
Furthermore, Amazon’s grocery delivery service has been expanding, with newly introduced same-day delivery options recently rolled out to more communities. Analysts have pointed out that Amazon’s relatively modest brick-and-mortar presence may limit its grocery ambitions compared to competitors with larger networks of stores. Nevertheless, experts see growth potential in Amazon’s grocery business due to its strong logistical capabilities and focus on providing convenience to customers.
In summary, the closure of these four Amazon Fresh supermarkets reflects a critical shift in Amazon’s grocery strategy as the company seeks to balance its physical presence with innovative delivery options and new product lines to serve its customers better.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
California’s Fast-Food Changes and Job Opportunities
Additional Resources
- CNBC
- Wikipedia: Amazon Fresh
- OC Register
- Google Search: Amazon Grocery strategy
- Food Dive
- Google Scholar: Amazon grocery business
- Grocery Dive
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Amazon supermarkets
- Chain Store Age
- Google News: Amazon Fresh closures
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
