Amazon closes dozens of its bookstores and electronics stores Business

Amazon is closing a series of electronics stores and bookstores in Britain and the United States after failing to take off.

The online retail giant is closing 68 4-star Amazon, Amazon Books and Amazon pop-up branches, including two in the UK.

The Seattle-based company is known for experimenting with store formats and services and quickly abandoning them if they prove unpopular with shoppers.

Amazon said it would focus on its grocery operations, its Los Angeles clothing store and selling its “just on foot” technology to other retailers.

The company declined to say how many jobs were at risk, but said it would help those affected find new roles.

Amazon made a £10.7 billion swoop for US grocery chain Whole Foods in 2017. It has since stepped up its assault on the food market by opening Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores in the UK and in the USA.

It has 16 locations in London and plans to open hundreds more in the coming years, according to reports.

Last month it officially became a supermarket as the competition watchdog subjected the business to stricter rules which govern how grocers treat suppliers.

Analysts believe the classification could prove problematic in the future if Amazon decides to go after a British rival – the subject of intense speculation over the years.

The store closures come just five months after its 4-star Amazon opened in Kent’s Bluewater shopping center selling electronics, books, toys and kitchenware.

A month later he opened a store at Westfield Shopping Center in White City, West London. She first launched the 4-star brand in New York in 2018.

A spokesperson said, “We remain committed to building great physical retail experience and technologies for the long term.”