Whole Foods Market is taking another significant step in its international expansion by announcing the opening of a new store in the United Kingdom. The store, located at 120 King’s Road, SW3, in Chelsea, London, is set to open its doors on March 25, 2025. This marks Whole Foods Market’s first new U.K. location in over a decade, reaffirming its commitment to bringing high-quality organic and natural food to more customers.
Jason Buechel, CEO of Whole Foods Market and Vice President of Amazon’s Worldwide Grocery Stores, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion: “Whole Foods Market has deep roots in the U.K., and we are thrilled to introduce more customers to our natural and organic offerings with the opening of our new King’s Road store this March. Expanding beyond the U.S. allows us to reach more consumers while furthering our mission to nourish people and the planet.”
The announcement of the King’s Road location aligns with Whole Foods Market’s ongoing efforts to increase its global presence. Currently, Whole Foods Market operates more than 535 stores across the U.S., U.K., and Canada. In addition, the company has nearly 90 new stores in the pipeline as it continues to innovate and extend its retail footprint. In 2024, the grocer launched Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, a compact store format designed to provide urban shoppers with a convenient way to access the brand’s premium products. This strategy reflects the company’s responsiveness to changing consumer preferences and its commitment to accessibility.
Christina Minardi, Executive Vice President of Growth & Development for Whole Foods Market & Amazon, emphasized the significance of the U.K. market: “We know customers in the U.K. are looking for high-quality natural and organic products. As we look ahead, we are actively exploring opportunities to bring Whole Foods Market to even more locations in the region.”
King’s Road Store Highlights
Spanning 21,800 square feet, the new Whole Foods Market on King’s Road will open its doors at 9:00 a.m. on launch day. Regular operating hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. This location will feature exclusive products available only at the King’s Road store, along with a wide array of local brands from London and across England. Customers can also expect the return of popular in-store departments, such as hot and salad bars, a full-service pizzeria, and fresh seafood and meat counters.
Key Features of the King’s Road Store:
- Seafood Counter: A full-service counter offering sustainable wild-caught and responsibly farmed seafood. Fresh catches, such as Dover sole and Shetland scallops, will be available four days a week.
- Fresh Produce: A selection of organic and conventional produce, including locally sourced items like Merit Mushrooms and Wye Valley asparagus from Mudwalls. The store will also feature Crate-to-Plate herbs and lettuce, which use 95% less water than traditional farming and eliminate the need for pesticides and herbicides.
- Specialty Cheese Department: A dedicated space for artisan and local cheese selections from Neal’s Yard Dairy and European imports from Mons, along with exclusive Whole Foods Market Goudas. Trained cheesemongers will be available to assist customers.
- Grocery Section: A curated selection of exclusive products, including items from brands such as XOXO, Joe & Seph’s, Old Spike Roastery, Good Phats, and Ice Cream Union.
- Meat Counter: A full-service meat department featuring dry-aged beef, in-house marinated meats, and products from local suppliers, including Ashdale Farm beef and Dingley Dell pork.
- Wine & Beer Selection: An extensive range of more than 400 wines, including an exclusive rosé from Mirabeau, the first vineyard in France to achieve Regenerative Organic Certified status. The store will also stock local beers, including an exclusive brew from Battersea-based Mondo Brewing.
- Prepared Foods: Offerings include a hot food bar, a salad bar with an expanded condiment station, and made-in-house hot pizza featuring an exclusive flavor created by a King’s Road Team Member. Sushi will be made fresh daily by Genji Sushi.
- Coffee Bar: A full-service coffee counter serving seasonal and everyday tea and coffee beverages.
- Bakery: The department will offer fresh daily bread, customer favorites such as Whole Foods Market’s Berry Chantilly Cake and brown butter cookies, and a range of special diet items, including vegan and gluten-free baked goods. Store exclusives include floral-inspired cupcakes and party cakes, along with products from Celtic Bakers and Pourtoi.
- Wellness & Beauty: A large selection of wellness and beauty products, including locally made items. Exclusive offerings include the Chelsea candle from Toorak, Ayeya Soaps, and a limited-edition Whole Foods Market beauty bag.
Whole Foods Market remains dedicated to upholding its rigorous quality standards, which prohibit the use of hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup, and over 300 artificial ingredients in food products. Similarly, all body care products meet strict guidelines that ban more than 240 commonly used ingredients, such as parabens, phthalates, and microbeads.
Opening Day Festivities
To celebrate the grand opening, Whole Foods Market is organizing a series of special events for customers. On the morning of the launch, visitors will be treated to complimentary coffee from Old Spike and snacks from Whole Foods Market suppliers. The first 200 customers in line will receive a custom tote bag and a Secret Saver coupon, offering exclusive discounts on select products.
As part of Whole Foods Market’s commitment to community engagement, the company will make a food donation to The Felix Project on opening day. The Felix Project is dedicated to rescuing and redistributing surplus food to local communities, ensuring that nutritious meals reach those in need. Additionally, Whole Foods Market will donate funds to community-based organizations in the Chelsea area, including the Kensington & Chelsea Foundation, further demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility.
With the opening of the King’s Road store, Whole Foods Market continues to strengthen its presence in the U.K., bringing premium, high-quality food options to a historic and vibrant London neighborhood. This expansion represents a significant milestone in the company’s global strategy, ensuring that more customers can experience its renowned dedication to natural and organic products.
