Sprouts Natural Foods Retail Chain Expands

PHOENIX"Natural" continues to resonate with consumers, and is driving expansion both within traditional supermarkets and among natural products retail chains. Sprouts Farmers Market just opened its 150th storejust a decade after is founding. Within the last two years, Sprouts completed two acquisitions, Henry's Farmers Market and Sunflower Farmers Market, in addition to 20 store openings.

The grocery store is fueling growth in the natural foods retail industry as one of the largest natural food retail chains in the country, with 150 locations throughout the United States and 18 to 20 planned grand openings for 2013.

"As the trend toward healthier eating continues to gain traction with traditional supermarket customers," said Doug Sanders, Sprouts president and CEO, "We believe that Sprouts can successfully bridge the gap from conventional to natural."