Sprouts Expands in Arizona

PHOENIX — Sprouts Farmers Market is scheduled to open the first store in five years in its home state on Wednesday.

The last Arizona stores it opened — on the same date in 2007 — were located in Gilbert and Chandler. Two more Arizona stores are scheduled to open next year — one here in March and one in Flagstaff, in Northern Arizona, next summer.

The chain is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year; it opened its first store in nearby Chandler on July 11, 2002.

The expansion comes as rival Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage grows its presence in the state, with new stores opened in recent weeks in Prescott and Flagstaff, and a third planned for Sedona next month.

Read more: Natural Grocers Continues Arizona Expansion

In addition to the two Arizona stores set for next year, Sprouts said it also plans to open new units in Los Angeles, Houston and Denver.

Sprouts acquired Sunflower Farmers Market earlier this year.