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of organic fruits and vegetables avail- able. Customers can see a tally of organic produce items on sale that day, the percentages vary, but organic produce as a makeup of total produce offerings is growing significantly each year,” says Rojas.
“Our farmers market reputation comes from our longstanding relationships with local growers and vendors, coupled with our ability to sell a high volume of fresh produce at great prices,” says Pang.
As Sprouts moves into new states and territories, so does the chain’s commit-
ment to extend its distribution network and to develop new local sources. “Not only do we need to operate sustainably, and profess and be active in sustainability with our customers and team members and in our community, we also need to take into account the products we sell,” says Rojas, adding, “Our products might be healthy when you consume them, but is the supply chain of our product healthy within itself.”
Sprouts has taken a variety of steps, including third party supplier audits, to hone its supplier base to those meeting certain sustainability and ethics standards
and practices, looking to bring in new suppliers, while weeding out offenders. “Produce was one of our first initiatives,” says Rojas, reaching out to and working with suppliers on their sustainability measures, including use of pesticides and herbicides, and fair treatment of workers. Rojas says it is critical decisions are fact and science based, as opposed to opinion and hearsay. In that respect, Sprouts sees a place for both organic and conventional produce responsibly grown.
SPROUTING COAST TO COAST
Emboldened by a produce-centric, intri- cately synchronized sustainability mission, Sprouts, a relatively new player in the retail scene, is well-positioned to increase market share.
With the first Sprouts store only opened in 2002 in Arizona, the chain is one of the fastest growing in the country, according to Sanders.
Driving its expansion coast to coast, Sprouts will operate in 19 states by the end of 2018, targeting 30 new stores this year, Pang said, including entry into Pennsylvania and Washington, as well as expansion in Florida, Maryland and North Carolina. The local media exposure and internal excite- ment that bubbles around the grand open- ings is part of the Sprouts story, drawing crowds and stirring up the competition.
From a corporate vantage point, Sprouts’ relatively small footprint makes it easier to slot into new locations. Its size and ethical business practices make municipal deci- sions by local governments a little easier than those faced by much larger retail enti- ties. “Our eastern expansion is supported by a new distribution center in East Point, GA, that enables us to continue to grow up the coast,” says Romero. [Sprouts also has DC’s in Glendale, AZ; Wilmer, TX; in Colton, CA, and Union City, CA.]
“I’m proud we are a high growth company,” says Sanders. That growth extends to many aspects of the business. “Progression at our company can be real- ized in short order,” he says, adding that last year Sprouts promoted 23 percent of its employees. “So, if you think of a person who is hitching his or her wagon to a brand in retail, this is a company that has a lot of runway in front of it. This company also provides an opportunity for people to realize their potential both professionally and personally, in terms of their responsibilities. And that’s not always the case.” pb
16-SPROUTS / MAY 2018 / PRODUCE BUSINESS


































































































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