‘Zombie’ Amazon Fresh Stores Sitting Idle

A handful of Amazon Fresh stores are built and appear ready to open, but it’s anyone’s guess as to when they might.

There are at least seven such “zombie” stores around the country, The Information reports, and the accumulation of unopened stores is leaving communities to wonder when – and if – their ribbons will be cut.

The delayed openings come as Amazon (Seattle) cuts costs amid anticipation of an economic downturn.

“It’s cheaper for the company to keep the stores in place while not operating, rather than ditch the stores altogether,” writes The Real Deal. “While the company is on the hook for rent, maintenance and taxes, shutting down a store could also force Amazon to pay a fee for a lease withdrawal or severance to hired employees.”

There are another 26 Amazon Fresh stores in development, but the status of those projects is unknown.

Read more at The Real Deal.