PHOENIX, AZ – Is Sprouts Farmers Market looking to enter the Florida market? Sources say yes.

Real estate brokers and developers are telling the Tampa Bay Business Journal that the Phoenix-based retailer is actively seeking sites in the Tampa Bay region.

Real estate sources say that Sprouts is telling them that it is interested in multiple stores in the market and would like to have stores open there by 2016 or 2017.

A Spokeswoman from Sprouts tells the Business Journal that there is currently no news to share on Florida locations, but noted, however, that the retailer has already announced the states it will enter in 2015 which are Alabama, Tennessee and Missouri. 

“The Southeast is a priority given our recent success in Atlanta, but beyond that it’s too far out to project any potential openings in other states,” said Donna Egan, Corporate Communications Director.

The Business Journal notes that Tampa Bay is a growing retail market. While Publix and Wal-Mart control the majority of the market share, several specialty grocers have expanded there in the last few years, including Whole Foods, The Fresh Market, Trader Joe’s, Lucky’s and Earth Fare.

Is Sprouts going to be the next grocer to join this list? For now, we will have to wait and see. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest updates.

Sprouts Farmers Market