The Amazon Fresh store in Manassas, Virginia, will close its doors at the end of Sunday, March 16, marking the end of an era for what was once the largest Amazon grocery store in the country. The store, located at 7807 Sudley Road, opened in 2022, and its closure reflects ongoing changes in Amazon’s brick-and-mortar retail strategy.
An Amazon spokesperson stated, “Certain store locations work better than others, and after an assessment of our offering, we’ve decided to close our Amazon Fresh store in Manassas.” The company is committed to its Amazon Fresh concept and broader grocery strategy, the spokesperson added, saying Amazon “will continue to refine our portfolio of stores as we learn which locations and features resonate most with customers.”
Since the closure was announced on Thursday, the store has seen a surge in shoppers hoping to take advantage of a 90% off sale. The Manassas location, at 45,000 square feet, was Northern Virginia’s largest Amazon Fresh store.
The store’s closure will impact approximately 150 employees. Amazon indicated that it will “support” these employees during the transition, but the company has not provided further details.
The Manassas store’s launch in 2022 came with significant hype, particularly for its “just walk out” technology, which allowed customers skip the checkout line. Customers registered a payment method upon entry, and artificial intelligence and a network of cameras tracked their purchases. The store will officially close at 10 p.m. on March 16.
Amazon’s foray into physical grocery stores began in 2007 with a delivery-only service. In 2017, they acquired Whole Foods for over $13 billion. The first Amazon Fresh stores began opening in 2020. In 2022, the company began scaling back its physical retail presence, eliminating Amazon Books and “4-Star” stores and reducing the number of Amazon Go convenience stores.
Recent adjustments to Amazon Fresh stores include plans to introduce more “grab-and-go” prepared foods, Krispy Kreme donut outlets, and entertainment-focused stations.
Despite these changes, Amazon continues to expand in some areas. The company’s newest Fresh store is slated to open in Silver Spring, Maryland, on Thursday, March 27. There are currently five other Amazon Fresh stores in Virginia: in Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Franconia, and Lorton.
