Whole Foods to roll out small-format store concept — here’s what it will look like
Whole Foods Market is going small with a new concept for dense metro areas.
The natural and organic foods grocer is launching a “quick-shop” store format that’s designed to provide customers in urban neighborhoods a quick and convenient shopping experience. Dubbed “Whole Foods Market Daily Shop,” the stores will range between 7,000 sq. ft. to 14,000 sq. ft., which is about a quarter to half the footprint of an average 40,000-sq.-ft. Whole Foods location.
The new format will make its debut this year, at 1175 Third Avenue on the Upper East Side in Manhattan, with additional locations in New York City to follow. Following the New York City launch, Whole Foods Market plans to bring the format to other cities across the country.
With its smaller footprint, the new format paves the way for Whole Foods to expand in dense, metropolitan areas. It will not replace the traditional Whole Foods Market store format, the company noted.
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Image courtesy of Whole Foods Market. -
Image courtesy of Whole Foods Market. -
Image courtesy of Whole Foods Market. -
Image courtesy of Whole Foods Market. -
Image courtesy of Whole Foods Market. -
Image courtesy of Whole Foods Market.
“In bustling hubs like Manhattan where proximity matters, these stores will bring Whole Foods Market closer to existing customers, while extending the company’s reach to others in surrounding neighborhoods,” the company stated.
Whole Foods said its Daily Shop stores will provide a convenient option for grab-and-go meals and snacks, weekly essentials and a quick, easy destination to pick up ingredients to complete a meal. Though smaller, the stores will still offer Whole Foods Market favorites, including an ample selection of fresh, seasonal produce, meat and seafood, prepared foods such as sandwiches and pre-packed meals, breads, alcohol and supplements. The stores will also feature a handpicked range of local specialties and the grocers private 365 by Whole Foods Market brand.
In addition, the Upper East Side location will be the first Whole Foods Market store in Manhattan to offer Juice & Java, a venue for coffee, tea, fresh pressed juices, smoothies, sandwiches, soups and various desserts.
“At our new store formats, we’re tailoring every square foot to the unique, fast-paced needs of urban lifestyles,” said Christina Minardi, executive VP growth and development, Whole Foods Market & Amazon. “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.”
This is not Whole Foods’ first smaller-store concept. In 2015, the grocer debuted a streamlined format called 365 by Whole Foods Market, which averaged about 25,000 sq. ft. to 30,000 sq. ft. and was focused on Whole Foods’ private-label products. It put the brakes on the concept in early 2019.
In 2023, Whole Foods Market added its 17th store in New York City, at One Wall Street in Manhattan, underscoring the company’s dedication to enhancing the urban customer experience and expanding its urban real estate footprint.
Amazon-owned Whole Foods Market currently has more than 530 stores in the U.S., U.K. and Canada with more than 75 stores in the pipeline.