Atlanta (November 3, 2010) – Whole Foods Market® (NASDAQ: WFMI) and Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD) announced today that the companies have signed a long-term lease for a new Whole Foods Market store as part of the existing Sears Greensboro, N.C. location near the Friendly Shopping Center.
The organic and natural grocer will occupy approximately 34,000 square feet of retail space currently part of the existing Sears building adjacent to the Friendly Shopping Center at West Friendly Avenue and Wendover Avenue in Greensboro, N.C. The remaining space at the Sears store will continue to offer its full assortment of products and services, with an improved layout to accommodate Whole Foods Market as its new neighbor in spring 2012.
Whole Foods Market's presence in North Carolina already includes stores in Asheville, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh and Winston-Salem, with plans for additional stores opening in North Raleigh in 2011 and Charlotte in 2012. The Greensboro store has a targeted opening date of spring 2012.
“We have great stores in the Triangle, Asheville and Winston-Salem, and people have been asking about a store in Greensboro for years,” said regional president, Scott Allshouse. “The Sears building is a prime spot for us in this popular regional shopping destination area. We are especially thrilled to be among nearby complementary retailers like REI, Apple and Williams-Sonoma, so we’re happy to be moving into the neighborhood, and are pleased to work with Sears on this project.”
“Sears Holdings is excited to welcome Whole Foods Market,” said Alan Shaw, vice president, leasing and development for Sears Holdings. “We are pleased to have reached an agreement on a lease with a tenant who has such strong brand recognition and loyal shoppers.”
Whole Foods Market features a fresh and enticing selection of natural foods in their purest state, free of artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, and preservatives as well as hydrogenated fats. Whole Foods Market offers shoppers the highest quality, best-tasting and freshest foods in an inviting setting. Each store is unique and is designed to meet the needs of the neighborhoods where we live and work. Combine the great-tasting food with outstanding customer service and the result is a pleasantly atypical grocery shopping experience.
