US natural and organic food retailer Whole Foods Market is to extend its UK operations outside the capital for the first time.
The retailer has announced it is to open a sixth London outlet in Richmond upon Thames as well as one in Giffnock in Glasgow.
The company will open a 22,000sqft location in Glasgow, the grocer’s first store north of the Watford Gap, in late 2011, and a 20,000sqft store on the Richmond site early in 2013.
The retailer currently has five stores in the Greater London area. With the new sites confirmed, this announcement signals the first expansion of Whole Foods Market’s UK business since it opened its Kensington store in 2007.
In a statement, Jeff Turnas, Whole Foods Market UK regional president, said: “We are delighted to underscore our commitment to the UK and make this further investment in our business here.
"It’s always been our ambition to open stores the length and breadth of the UK to offer our fresh and vibrant shopping experience.
“Our goal is to be the finest food shop in every community we serve. We will be offering an amazing array of fresh, healthy and organic food. We are also committed to supporting regional producers and will be offering a host of products sourced locally.”
