Sprouts Farmers Market Opens Aurora Produce Distribution Center to Support its Growth Strategy Focused on Fresh, Local, and Organic Offerings
PHOENIX, AZ - Fresh produce is a key attraction in the produce aisle, continuing to promote physical expansion and brand visibility for retailers. Sprouts Farmers Market has capitalized on this with its latest expansion, recently opening a new produce distribution center in Aurora, its first center in Colorado. This addition will service 45 of Sprouts’ stores, including all locations in Colorado, five stores in Utah, and eight in New Mexico, and is ultimately expected to quadruple its local selection over time.
“As we grow our footprint, we will strategically place new stores and distribution centers closer together to maximize our owned fresh product network. This will better serve our customers who are looking to Sprouts for the best quality and value in fresh and organic produce,” said Chief Fresh Merchandising Officer Scott Neal. “The location of our Aurora facility, combined with features such as ripening rooms for bananas and avocados, two of our top-selling produce items, will immediately provide our stores with an expanded selection of affordable organics.”
Sprouts is partnering with Penske Logistics as its third-party logistics provider for the distribution center, which created 70 new full-time jobs in the market, a press release stated. Last year, the grocer announced it will seek to drive efficiencies across its network of fresh distribution centers by locating them within 250 miles of the stores they serve.
Additionally, Sprouts will open its seventh distribution center in Florida this summer to expand local produce offerings. Sprouts also operates distribution centers in Colton and Union City, California; Glendale, Arizona; Wilmer, Texas; and Atlanta, Georgia.
A key factor in this expansion, Sprouts will be able to distribute local produce and floral from the new hub. Colorado stores will benefit immediately from expanded local and organic produce varieties, and an all-new local herb and mushroom selection.
“With a distribution center in Colorado, our truck routes are shorter and allow us to cross fewer state borders, enabling us to partner with our local and regional farmers with more synergy,” said Joe Hurley, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain. “We’re looking forward to engaging with our community of local vendors further to better serve our neighbors and customers.”
Stay tuned to see how this expansion contributes to the growth of Sprouts’ supplier partnerships.
