Whole Foods Market ramping up expansion in the UK

Whole Foods Market is doubling its store count across the pond. 

The Amazon-owned natural and organic grocer will open six new stores in the London market during the coming months. The openings come just one year after Whole Foods opened its first new store in the U.K. in over a decade. With the six new London outposts (locations listed at end of article), Whole Foods’ U.K. store count will reach 12.

The new locations will vary in size, spanning between 3,300 and 10,000 square feet. All stores will provide Whole Foods' a wide selection of organic items across its grocery, meat, seafood, cheese and prepared foods departments.

"We're happy to be expanding Whole Foods Market's physical store presence in the U.K., allowing us to reach more customers with our uncompromising quality standards and carefully curated selection of natural and organic products," said Jason Buechel, VP of Amazon's worldwide grocery stores and Whole Foods Market CEO. "Each new store represents an opportunity to bring responsibly sourced, high-quality food to more communities who share our values of nourishing people and the planet."

The Whole Foods U.K. expansion comes as Amazon is reprioritizing its grocery footprint. The retail giant recently announced plans to close its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh physical stores, converting various locations into Whole Foods stores. Amazon plans to open more than 100 new Whole Foods locations over the next few years.