Sprouts Farmers Market, Athleta among brands in expansion mode

New York -- Phoenix-based Sprouts Farmers Markets Inc. is expanding. The natural-foods supermarket chain expects to open 22 to 24 stores in fiscal 2014, including five locations in the Atlanta area.



Sprouts currently operates more than 165 locations in eight states.



Meanwhile, Gap Inc. continues to expand its newest banner, Athleta, with about 30 additional U.S. stores on tap for fiscal year 2014.



In more store expansion news:

• Lowe’s Cos. plans to open approximately 15 home improvement stores and five neighborhood hardware stores this year.

• Macy’s will open stores in Sarasota, Fla.; Las Vegas; and The Bronx, N.Y., in fiscal 2014. A new Bloomingdale’s will open in Palo Alto, Calif., to replace an older store in the same shopping center.

• Aventura Mall, in the Miami suburb of Aventura, plans a significant expansion that will include a new three-level, 241,000-sq.-ft. retail wing and parking garage. Construction is expected to begin in 2014.

• Pancheros Mexican Grill will open 16 new locations in 2014.