LONDON (Nov. 3, 2010) – Whole Foods Market, the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, announced today that it intends to open a new 22,000 square-foot store in Glasgow, the grocer’s first in Scotland, on Fenwick Street in Giffnock late in 2011.
Jeff Turnas, Whole Foods Market UK regional president, said: “We are delighted to soon be part of the Glasgow food community. Our goal is to be the finest food shop in every community we serve, and that includes Giffnock. We will be baking and cooking in the store each day and we will be offering an amazing array of fresh, healthy and organic food.
We are also committed to supporting Scottish producers and will be offering a host of products sourced locally. Our unique animal welfare and seafood ranking systems will serve to shine a light on some of the fantastic meat and fish available in Scotland, and we are looking forward to offering great local beers in our refillable flagons.
We want our customers to celebrate the joys of eating and living well and we’ll be inviting the people of Glasgow to change the way they think about and shop for food.”
Whole Foods Market will work with UK contractors, employ a number of local suppliers to develop the new Glasgow store and provide jobs for around 150 local people, including skilled chefs, butchers and bakers.
“We are delighted to welcome Whole Foods Market to East Renfrewshire, particularly as this will be their first store out of London,” said Lord Provost of East Renfrewshire, Alex Mackie. “This is a prestigious brand and it will be a huge boost for shoppers in the Eastwood areas and the local retail economy. I look forward to visiting the new landmark store when it opens.”
The retailer currently has five stores in the Greater London area. The announcement signals the first expansion of Whole Foods Market’s UK business since it opened its Kensington store in 2007.
“We are excited to underscore our commitment to the UK and further invest here with our new Glasgow location,” added Turnas. “It’s always been our ambition to offer our unique brand of fresh and vibrant shopping to as much of the UK population as possible.”
Since the opening of its first store in the US in 1980, Whole Foods Market has been known for its commitment to its stringent quality standards. The grocer offers the highest quality natural and organic foods – all free of artificial flavours, sweeteners, colours, preservatives and hydrogenated fats – with bakery, meats and more prepared fresh in store.
