Amazon plans to close all 68 of its bookstores, 4-Star Stores, and other non-grocery brick-and-mortar stores in the U.S. and the U.K., according to Reuters. No dates were given for the expected closures.

Amazon began its experiment in brick-and-mortar book retailing in 2015 with a bookstore in Seattle (see ICv2’s report: "ICv2 Visits the Amazon Brick and Mortar Store"), which emphasized books (including a strong selection of graphic novels) and other products chosen and displayed in ways utilizing learnings from Amazon’s online sales of those products.  Amazon expanded the concept to high profile locations, including The Shops at Columbus Circle in New York City (see "Pro: Channel Check: Amazon Books on Columbus Circle").

The product mix in Amazon 4-Star stores was heavily skewed toward Geek culture items, board games, electronics, and children's toys, its stock lighter on books, movies, and household items (see "Pro: Channel Check: Amazon 4-Star Store").

Now both of those formats will be no more, as Amazon concentrates its brick and mortar efforts on groceries (Whole Foods) and a planned department store concept.