Whole Foods is gearing up to introduce more compact neighborhood outlets, following a triumphant trial run in Manhattan. These smaller stores, branded as the Daily Shop format, span 9,100 square feet—approximately 25% of the size of traditional Whole Foods locations.
A breakdown of its performance revealed that the Manhattan branch has surpassed expected sales figures, as detailed in a Wall Street Journal report, with the concept expected to premiere in Washington DC next year.
This shift towards ‘fill-in’ shopping aligns with a budding trend, as the Wall Street Journal highlights using data sourced from Placer.ai. Customers are now making 11% more grocery trips compared to 2019, albeit with lower spending per visit. Smaller stores enable quicker openings and provide grocery retailers with an avenue to set up shop in urban areas where rental costs tend to be steeper.