Whole Foods Market has announced its plans to open smaller format stores as part of its continuing expansion efforts. The new store concept, Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, is designed to offer customers a quick and convenient shopping experience in urban neighborhoods, providing easier access to fresh, high-quality products.
The first Whole Foods Market Daily Shop will launch on the Upper East Side in Manhattan, with more locations in New York City and other cities to follow. The new format store, located at 1175 Third Avenue, is expected to open this year.
These quick-shop stores, ranging from 7,000 to 14,000 square feet, are significantly smaller than the average 40,000-square-foot store.
By establishing smaller stores in urban neighborhoods, the company can effectively connect with existing customers while attracting new ones.
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The Manhattan location will also introduce Juice & Java, offering a variety of beverages, sandwiches, soups, and desserts alongside other offerings.
Despite their smaller footprint, the new quick-shop stores will continue to carry a wide range of products, including fresh seasonal produce, meat, seafood, prepared foods, bakery items, alcohol, supplements, and local specialty products, as well as items from the 365 by Whole Foods Market brand.
New Small Format Stores Complement Whole Foods Market
Christina Minardi, Executive Vice President of Growth & Development at Whole Foods Market and Amazon, expressed enthusiasm for the new store formats, emphasizing that they are tailored to meet the fast-paced needs of urban lifestyles. This move aims to enhance the efficiency and enjoyment of grocery shopping, providing customers with a quick way to access their favorite products.
“Expanding our footprint with Whole Foods Market Daily Shop is key to our growth, fostering deeper customer connections, and advancing our purpose to nourish people and the planet,” Minardi emphasized.
The company said that introducing the new quick-shop format stores will complement rather than replace the traditional store format. It represents another innovative approach by Whole Foods Market and Amazon to enhance the grocery shopping experience continuously.
In 2023, Whole Foods Market added its 17th store in New York City, located at One Wall Street. This strategic move also signifies the company’s efforts to expand its presence in urban real estate markets to serve customers in metropolitan areas.
With a presence in over 530 stores across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, the grocery chain continues growing its footprint with more than 75 stores in the pipeline.