Jessica Martin, an Amazon spokeswoman, declined comment, noting that the company does not speak about its future roadmap. Related: Save Mart begins grocery delivery with AmazonĪmazon Fresh is currently operating 44 stores, including 18 in California 9 in Illinois two in Maryland two in Pennsylvania five in Virginia five in Washington state and one each in New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. The publication said that while Amazon might be paying for rent, maintenance, and taxes at such locations, it may be beneficial for the company to avoid abandoning the outlets, which could force the retailer to pay a fee for lease withdrawal or severance to hired employees. It reported that such “zombie” stores are in a Philadelphia suburb, Southern California, Staten Island and New Jersey. In addition, The Real Deal cited at least seven locations that appear to be completely built out but haven’t opened. Related: Survey: Walmart edges out Amazon as grocery destination

Seattle-based Amazon, which launched its first Amazon Fresh grocery store in September 2020 and proceeded to open about two new stores each month for two years, hasn’t opened a new outlet since September, according to reporting from The Real Deal, which covers New York real estate. After a steady expansion, Amazon Fresh appears to be losing momentum.

Amazon fresh store