Sprouts expanding throughout the Gulf Coast

Organic-minded grocer Sprouts Farmers Market intends to open a pair of new Gulf Coast stores early next year, in Clearwater and Naples.

The Phoenix, Ariz.-based chain, which operates more than 300 locations in 19 states — including six in Florida at present — plans to debut both new stores in the first quarter of 2019.

In Clearwater, the 16-year-old chain will open at Weingarten Realty’s Sunset Point 19, a 256,000-square-foot power center with anchors Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond and Old Navy.

Its new Naples store will be located at 2224 Logan Blvd. North.

Each of the two new Gulf Coast stores will employ roughly 140, Sprouts says.

Currently, Sprouts’ Florida stores are located in Sarasota, Valrico, Palm Harbor and Winter Park. It also operates a pair of stores in Tampa, according to its website.

In all, the company plans to open seven new grocery stores nationwide in the first quarter of the year, in California, Florida Nevada, Washington and Texas. For all of 2019, the chain says it will add 30 new stores to its portfolio.

In Florida, especially, Sprouts has been locked in a fierce battle for market share with Earth Fare, Lucky’s Market, Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s who are hoping to challenge Publix Super Markets Inc. and other legacy chains for customer loyalty.