Whole Foods Market, the upscale supermarket chain owned by Amazon, has announced its plans to launch a series of smaller grocery stores in New York City. These convenience store-sized shops will be part of the company’s expansion strategy in densely populated metro areas across the US.
The new stores, known as Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, will range between 7,000 and 14,000 square feet each, making them more than 50% smaller than a typical Whole Foods grocery store. The first location will be on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, at 1175 Third Ave., filling the space previously occupied by Food Emporium. The store is expected to open later this year.
The company aims to provide busy New Yorkers with a convenient option for grab-and-go meals and snacks, weekly essentials, and ingredients to complete a meal. In addition to produce, prepared foods, and alcohol, the Upper East Side location will be the first Whole Foods store to offer Juice & Java, a casual coffee venue based in Pennsylvania.
While the timeline for opening these small-format stores is not yet clear, Whole Foods has stated that its new venture will not replace its full-scale grocery stores. The company is expected to roll out additional locations across the country following the opening of the Upper East Side store.
This move comes at a time when grocery-store competition is increasing in New York City. Wegmans recently opened its highly anticipated Astor Place location, while another Wegmans store is set to occupy a large space in Lincoln Square. Other grocers, such as Lidl and H Mart, have also announced their expansion into Chelsea and Long Island City.
Whole Foods has previously tested the concept of smaller stores with its Market Daily Shop in Chelsea back in 2019. This bodega-like convenience store offered a variety of options, including an acai bowl station and kombucha on tap. Most of the fare was either pre-prepared by Whole Foods or grab-and-go options from local purveyors, according to Eater.
Overall, Whole Foods’ decision to launch a series of smaller grocery stores in New York City reflects the company’s strategy of expanding in densely populated areas. By providing convenient options for busy city dwellers, Whole Foods aims to cater to the needs of its customers while still maintaining its full-scale grocery stores. With the launch of the first location on the Upper East Side, New Yorkers can look forward to a more accessible and convenient shopping experience at their favorite upscale supermarket.
