Fresh Thyme Market seeks out hyperlocal products for its upcoming concept store

Fresh Thyme Market, the natural and organic specialty retailer with 70 stores in 10 states throughout the Midwest, is on the lookout for hyperlocal products to fill the shelves of its new concept store in the historic Foundry area of St. Louis.

The Downers Grove, Ill.-based Fresh Thyme is partnering with RangeMe, an online product discovery and sourcing platform for retailers and suppliers, on the sourcing initiative. Jane Wilcox, store manager of Fresh Thyme Market at the Foundry, says the upcoming store has set a goal of 1,000 local products to serve the community and local businesses.

"We are eager to source products made within the St. Louis region," said Wilcox. "Being able to support our local community, both food producers and consumers, is one of the most exciting parts of the Foundry store's opening later this year."

The retailer said that Fresh Thyme Market is focused on fresh, healthy, natural, organic offerings at affordable prices and believes sourcing new, local products for this concept store will help the retailer continue fostering relationships within the St. Louis community. The store will also feature a broad assortment of Meijer brand items.

"Community is at the core of everything we do at Fresh Thyme," said Gerald Melville, Fresh Thyme Market president. "We know our customers appreciate supporting local, so we're really pleased to partner with RangeMe to offer products made in the St. Louis area to ensure they have the best shopping experience possible."  

Related:RangeMe connects retailers with natural suppliers

Fresh Thyme Market is on the lookout for hyperlocal products to fill the shelves of its upcoming concept store in the historic Foundry area of St. Louis, shown in a rendering above.

Through easy-to-navigate shelves and reliably sourced products, Fresh Thyme Market aims to present a more thoughtful approach for all shoppers to live healthier lives. This new initiative within the St. Louis Foundry community champions the idea of deepening the community roots for both the retailer and the customer, according to Fresh Thyme Market. 

With RangeMe, Fresh Thyme Market has access to more than 200,000 consumer packaged goods suppliers and can use RangeMe to streamline its search to find brands that fit the criteria for this initiative. Fresh Thyme Market can easily filter for products and suppliers that are local to the region and invites all manufacturers to submit their products for consideration through RangeMe.

"Product localization is an essential part of continuing to deepen relationships with consumers," says Nicky Jackson, CEO and founder of RangeMe. "Fresh Thyme has been an amazing retail partner for more than three years, and we are thrilled to work with them on this inspired initiative."

Related:Is hyperlocal product sourcing a real opportunity for grocers?

RangeMe has been building local sourcing partnerships with more retailers as the grocery industry continues focus on supplier diversity and commitment to local communities. Among retailers working with RangeMe are Kroger, Albertsons, Southeastern Grocers, Meijer, Schnuck Markets, Hy-Vee and Fareway Stores.