Sprouts, Natural Grocers see visits increase to start 2025

Sprouts operates approximately 450 stores in 24 states.

Two natural and organic chains are outpacing the grocery sector at large when it comes to increased store visits.

For the first quarter of 2025, Sprouts Farmers Market increased its visits 11.9% year-over-year, while visits to Natural Grocers rose 5.9%, according to new data from retail traffic firm Placer.ai. Overall, the grocery category saw a 0.8% increase in visits to start the year, signaling that consumers are after healthy, better-for-you options.

Placer.ai noted that Phoenix-based Sprouts’ expanding footprint helped boost its traffic numbers. Last year, the grocer opened 33 stores. For the first quarter of this year, the average number of visits to each Sprouts location increased 4.2% year-over-year.

While Colorado-based Natural Grocers’ footprint is much smaller (approximately 170 stores compared to Sprouts’ approximately 450), Placer.ai says its over-performance in gaining visits is a positive sign.

[READ MORE: Sprouts Farmers Market to open at least 35 stores on heels of ‘remarkable’ 2024]