<p> It’s full steam ahead for Whole Foods Markets’ rapid expansion as we start heading into the new year. Nevertheless, the company is expecting to see some stiff competition from rival natural food chains and traditional supermarkets as they begin stocking similar products. Competition isn’t going to stop this Texas-based natural foods grocer, however.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Growth-wise, this fiscal year promises to be the biggest yet for the company. It now operates nearly 370 stores and officials are planning to open another 33 to 38 stores in the current fiscal year – a record number, says Jim Sud, Whole Foods’ executive vice president for growth and business development.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> According to The Columbian, it appears that the fuel for this expansion stems from the company’s growth in smaller markets, rising cultural awareness of healthy eating, and of course, improving economic conditions.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “As the company has grown over the years, our brand has strengthened and I think that’s the result of people having more exposure to Whole Foods and certainly the growth and awareness in natural and organics and healthy lifestyles,” said Sud. “We’re seeing our stores in new markets open at higher [sales] volumes than historically. So we think we’ve got a really good runway for growth.” In fact, Sud suggests that Whole Foods could reasonably reach 1,000 stores, and even that’s a conservative estimate.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Despite its ambitious desire to expand, Whole Foods is being challenged by other specialty grocers like Sprouts Farmers Market and mainstream chains such as Kroger as they add similar natural and organic products to their shelves. Competitors like Sprouts and Trader Joe’s are even expanding quickly as well.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The question that remains is whether or not Whole Foods can maintain its pace of expansion. As the new year approaches, we may see an answer soon.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/dec/12/can-whole-foods-maintain-its-pace" target="_new"> The Columbian </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
