Sprouts Farmers Market and Sunflower Farmers Market Complete Merger

Sprouts Farmers Market and Sunflower Farmers Market announced the closing of the merger of the two companies, creating one of the larger grocers in the Western United States. The combined company currently has 144 stores, with six more scheduled to open this year, and employs approximately 11,000 people. Projected 2012 revenues are about $2 billion. The addition of the Sunflower stores caps a remarkable three-year run, which has seen Sprouts expand from 31 stores at the start of 2009 to a projected 150 by the end of the summer of 2012. It also expands Sprouts’ geographic footprint to Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Oklahoma and further extends its presence in the states of California, Arizona, Colorado and Texas. All of the Sunflower stores will be re-branded under the Sprouts banner. The conversions will begin in July and occur in phases through the end of the year. The stores will receive new interior and exterior signage, updated fixtures and an expanded merchandise mix. Sprouts will remain headquartered in Phoenix, and Sunflower’s corporate headquarters in Phoenix and Boulder will be consolidated into the Sprouts office. Shon Boney, CEO of Sprouts, said, “Everyone at Sprouts is eager to work with the Sunflower team to build a stronger company. In joining forces, we will create a company that is not only bigger, but better – and continue to provide our signature shopping experience with a strong commitment to value and natural products. The customers and employees of both stores have a lot to look forward to as we launch this great adventure.”