Fast-growing grocer plans more new stores for area

TAMPA — On the eve of the Jan. 16 grand opening its latest Tampa Bay area store, in Clearwater, Phoenix-based specialty grocer Sprouts Farmers Market has announced plans for new locations in Tampa and Seminole.

The Tampa store will be located at the intersection of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Hunter’s Green Drive, while the Seminole store will be part of Seminole Plaza. In a press release, Sprouts also announced plans to open a new store in Stuart.

At present, Sprouts — whose revenue topped $4.05 billion in 2017, up from $3.59 billion in 2016 — operates six stores in Florida. Its recent push for expansion in the Sunshine State also includes a new store in Naples, scheduled to open Feb. 20. Plans for stores in Riverview and Trinity have also been announced.

Nationwide, Sprouts operates more than 300 stores in 19 states, and employs 28,000 people, the release states.