News Summary
Amazon has announced the closure of four Amazon Fresh grocery stores in Southern California, including locations in La Habra, La Verne, Mission Viejo, and Whittier. This decision is part of a regular assessment of store performance and is aimed at optimizing operations. While some stores are closing, Amazon will continue to operate 19 other locations in the region. The company is simultaneously expanding its grocery services by launching a new collection called Amazon Grocery, which will include over 1,000 food items.
Amazon to Close Four Grocery Stores in Southern California
Amazon has announced the impending closure of four Amazon Fresh grocery stores located in Southern California: La Habra, La Verne, Mission Viejo, and Whittier. These closures are expected to take place by mid-November 2025, as part of a regular performance assessment of its store portfolio.
Amazon spokesperson Lauren Snyder confirmed that while some locations outperform others, the decision to shut down specific stores is a strategic choice to optimize operations. Despite the closures, the company will maintain 19 Amazon Fresh stores in the southern part of the state.
Details Surrounding the Closures
The closures of the four grocery stores align with Amazon’s overall restructuring strategy, which recently saw the company shutting down an additional four Amazon Fresh locations across various markets in the United States and 14 in the United Kingdom. Affected employees have been informed about the closures and are being assisted in finding new employment within the company. They will also receive severance packages as part of their departure.
Expanding Services amid Closures
Despite these store closures, Amazon remains focused on expanding its grocery services. The company is combining its Amazon Fresh and Happy Belly brands into a new grocery essentials collection, termed Amazon Grocery. This new offering will feature over 1,000 food items, including dairy products, oils, and fresh produce.
Amazon estimates that it serves over 150 million customers across its grocery divisions, boasting nearly three million grocery items available for delivery, pick-up, or in-store shopping. As of September 24, 2025, there are a total of 64 Amazon Fresh stores left in the United States, with California having the largest concentration at 27 locations.
Customer Feedback and Impact
Customer feedback from the affected areas shows that there are anticipated inconveniences due to the closures. Residents often rely on these grocery stores for their shopping needs, and loss of local access can disrupt their habitual purchasing patterns.
Innovations in Grocery Business
Amazon Fresh stores continue to innovate, introducing technologies such as the Dash Cart, which allows customers to bypass traditional checkout lines. Even as they close select stores, the company remains committed to enhancing its grocery business, which has seen a growth trajectory since its inception.
Notably, a previously shuttered Amazon Fresh location in Thousand Oaks is being transformed into a Whole Foods Market, demonstrating Amazon’s ongoing investment in its grocery sector.
Conclusion
The decision to close these Amazon Fresh stores forms part of Amazon’s broader strategy to adjust and streamline its operations while still catering to its customer base. With a focus on expanding grocery offerings and continuing investment in technology, Amazon is preparing to cater to an evolving market, even as it makes difficult choices about specific store locations.
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Additional Resources
- Supermarket News
- Wikipedia: Amazon Fresh
- CNBC
- Google Search: Amazon Fresh closures Southern California
- Progressive Grocer
- Google Scholar: Amazon Fresh store closures
- USA Today
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Amazon Fresh
- Orange County Register
- Google News: Amazon Fresh California
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.
