USA: Whole Foods, Natural Grocers and Sprouts

Two leading publicly traded natural chains in the USA have released important numbers and Sprouts Farmers Market has announced its initial public offering intentions, New Hope 360 reports. For the 28-week period that ended on 14 April 2013, Whole Foods Market’s sales increased 14% to US$6.9bn (about EUR5.4bn). Whole Foods Market plans to open three stores in the third quarter 2013 and twelve in the fourth. The company also has signed ten leases for scheduled openings in fiscal 2014 and later. Whole Foods Market believes it will continue to gain market share and improve their relative value proposition while maintaining their quality standards, and further differentiate their shopping experience. (Picture: Customers at a Whole Foods Market)
 

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s net sales increased close to 27% to over US$202m (about EUR157m) in the first half of fiscal 2013. The company plans to open thirteen stores in fiscal year 2013 and expects to relocate one and remodel two existing stores. It has signed leases for the remaining six stores planned to open in fiscal year 2013 and four stores planned to open in fiscal year 2014. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage will continue to experience stability in their comparable store sales, according to company information, which they believe is a direct reflection of our commitment to affordable pricing, nutrition education and customer service.
 

Sprouts reports sales of US$2bn (about EUR1.56bn) in fiscal 2012, representing a 16% increase over 2011. Sprouts' leadership believes the market in the USA can support approximately 1,200 Sprouts Farmers Market stores operating under the current format, including 300 in states in which it currently operates. It hopes to achieve 12% or more annual new store growth over at least the next five years with 19 openings planned for fiscal 2013 and approximately 20 store openings planned for fiscal 2014. Sprouts noted two key strategies in its prospectus: to continue to enhance their operating margins and to grow the Sprouts Farmers Market brand. More information is available at New Hope 360