Amazon is set to close four of its Southern California Amazon Fresh grocery stores, with the e-commerce giant explaining that some locations are performing significantly better among customers than others.

Lauren Snyder, an Amazon spokesperson, confirmed the closings to USA TODAY on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

“We are continuing to invest in making grocery shopping easier, faster, and more affordable across our 600 physical stores under our Whole Foods Market and Amazon brands,” Snyder wrote in the statement. “Of course, at this scale certain locations will work better than others, and when this happens, we assess and will decide in some circumstances to close a location.”

Among the stores closing are the Amazon Fresh locations in La Habra and Whittier, both located southeast of Los Angeles.

The closures follow an announcement last week that Amazon is combining its Amazon Fresh and Happy Belly brands into one grocery essentials collection called Amazon Grocery.

With Amazon Grocery, customers can shop through over 1,000 food items – from milk to olive oil and fresh produce – on Amazon’s website and in Amazon Fresh stores.

Amazon estimates that it serves more than 150 million customers with nearly three million grocery items and everyday essentials through online delivery, pick-up or in-store shopping.

What Amazon Fresh stores are closing? And why?

Amazon has opened more than 50 stores across the company’s grocery brands over the last two years, the company told USA TODAY. In the process of evaluating its stores, the company said it decided to close locations in La Habra, La Verne, Mission Viejo and Whittier.

The major retailer said it is working closely with employees at these locations to help them find new jobs within Amazon.

I shop at Amazon Fresh in SoCal. What will I do when my store closes?

Amazon said customers in La Habra, La Verne, Mission Viejo and Whittier can still shop for household items and groceries online at www.amazon.com/fmc/everyday-essentials, with Amazon Same-Day Delivery, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and grocery partners.

What else is happening at Amazon?

In August, Amazon expanded same-day delivery of fresh groceries to more than 1,000 parts of the United States.

The expansion allows customers to purchase groceries, such as produce, dairy, meat, seafood, baked goods and frozen foods, while simultaneously buying household essentials, including electronics and other products, and have them delivered within hours through Amazon’s Same-Day Store.

Amazon said it also has plans to expand service to over 2,300 cities and towns by the end of 2025.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amazon closing 4 Amazon Fresh stores. Here's where they're located.

Reporting by Saleen Martin, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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