Amazon is planning to close its 19 UK grocery stores less than five years after it launched the till-free sites in London.

Amazon said five of the stores earmarked for closure would be converted in to Whole Foods stores, a fresh and whole food brand which Amazon owns.

The company added that it would focus on its online delivery services in the groceries sector, including with its partners Morrisons, Co-op, Iceland, and Gopuff.

Amazon said it has launched a consultation process on its closure proposals.