Jason Buechel, CEO of Whole Foods Market an Amazon subsidiary recently announced that the chain plans on expanding by 75 new stores.  These will range in size from 7,000 to 14,000 square feet compared to the average Whole Foods store of 40,000 square feet.

Buechel reviewed plans in an address to the Milken Institute Global Conference stating, “We are tailoring every square foot to the unique fast-paced needs of urban lifestyles.  According to Kristina Minardi, Executive Vice-president for Growth and Development at Whole Foods Market, “Stores will be geared towards urban clientele for convenience meals and dinner ingredients”.

There was no mention of the proportion of house brands among SKUs to be offered or the level of technology including cashier-less checkout or smart carts.