Amazon has announced it will close 68 physical bookshops and 4-star stores across the UK and US in order to focus on its grocery and department store concepts.

Amazon Books, NYC

The retail giant confirmed last night that it will close dozens of its bricks-and-mortar stores, ending some of its longest-running retail experiments.

Amazon said the move would mean it could focus on its grocery and department store concepts, as well as its Just Walk Out technology.

The first Amazon bookshop opened in Seattle in 2015, while its first 4-star store – which only stocks highly rated products – opened in New York in 2018.

The decision will affect two Amazon 4-star stores in the UK – the retailer opened its first UK version in Bluewater, Kent, just five months ago, and a second store in Westfield London a month later.

Amazon declined to specify how many jobs would be affected, but said that employees would be offered a severance package or the opportunity to work in other nearby stores such as Amazon Fresh.

The news comes as Amazon turns its attention to its Fresh convenience stores – opening its 16th Fresh store in the UK this week with hundreds more to follow in the near future.

An Amazon spokeswoman said: “We’ve decided to close our Amazon 4-star, Books and pop-up stores, and focus more on our Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, Amazon Go and Amazon Style stores, and our Just Walk Out technology.

“We remain committed to building great, long-term physical retail experiences and technologies, and we’re working closely with our affected employees to help them find new roles within Amazon.”