CHICAGO, IL (July 31, 2013)- Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM) today announced plans to open a new store in East Lansing, Michigan. The company expects the store to open in 2015. The new store will be located on East Grand River Avenue in East Lansing. At the time of opening, this store will be the seventh Michigan Whole Foods Market location.
The store will be approximately 35,000 square feet and will reflect the company’s mission of supporting sustainable agriculture and the environment. The Whole Foods Market East Lansing location will create approximately 150 new jobs in the community ranging from customer service through store leadership. With a focus on fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, specialty items, high-quality meats and poultry, everyday pantry staples and sustainable seafood, the store will appeal to a variety of customers ranging from the health conscious to the serious food enthusiast.
“At Whole Foods Market, we strive to offer the freshest, most flavorful natural and organic foods available, and we are overjoyed to increase our presence in Michigan,” comments Michael Bashaw, Whole Foods Market Midwest Regional President. “This new store will allow us an opportunity to offer our wide selection of high quality products to an even larger customer base and at the same time serve the local community in unique and special ways.”
Community support is one of the company’s core values and Whole Foods Market has a history of establishing a commitment to each of the communities it serves. Quarterly Community Support Days, where 5 percent of one-day’s sales are donated to a local nonprofit organization, are one of the most successful company programs. Other community support programs include One Dime at a Time, where customers can opt to have their 10¢ bag refund donated to a nonprofit organization, as well as daily donations to local food banks.
“We’re incredibly excited about the opportunity to develop connections within the Greater Lansing community,” continues Bashaw. “We’re looking forward to expanding our brand, serving even more Michigan residents and creating long lasting partnerships with our neighbors.”
