Whole Foods (Austin, Texas) has announced plans to add between 38 and 42 new stores this year (some of them relocations), for an annual square-footage growth of nine to 10 percent, according to Supermarket News. During a conference call with financial analysts last week, co-ceo Walter Robb said the grocery chain also expects greater than nine percent sales growth for the fiscal year, and attributes the company’s sales momentum to increased customer confidence and a positive response to company initiatives. These include: the release of a new mobile app; Whole Foods’ recent “values matter” TV and print campaign; a 15-city partnership with Instacart (with weekly online delivery sales in excess of $1 million); and a new rewards program, currently in place at 12 stores.
Robb also credited lower produce pricing in several markets for increased sales. “We are looking at expanding the test to additional markets [because] we believe more competitive produce pricing will greatly benefit our overall value perceptions,” he says.