Whole Foods Market is making a significant expansion in its international presence with the announcement of a new store in London, set to open on March 25, 2025. The new store, located at 120 King’s Road, SW3, is the first new U.K. location for Whole Foods Market since 2014. It will serve as a premium grocery destination in the historic and vibrant area of King’s Road in Chelsea, bringing the retailer’s renowned selection of high-quality natural and organic products to more customers in the United Kingdom.
Whole Foods Market CEO Jason Buechel, who also serves as Vice President of Amazon’s Worldwide Grocery Stores, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion. “Whole Foods Market has roots deeply planted in the U.K., and we are thrilled to be bringing more natural and organic food to this market with the opening of our new King’s Road store this March,” Buechel stated. “Continuing our expansion outside of the U.S. enables us to extend our reach to more customers while advancing our higher purpose to nourish people and the planet.”
Currently, Whole Foods Market operates over 535 stores across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, with nearly 90 additional locations in the pipeline. The company has been actively innovating and expanding its real estate footprint. In 2024, it introduced a new store concept, Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, a quick-shop format designed for urban neighborhoods, offering the same fresh, high-quality products as a traditional Whole Foods Market in a more convenient, smaller-scale setting.
Christina Minardi, Executive Vice President of Growth & Development for Whole Foods Market and Amazon, underscored the retailer’s commitment to the U.K. market. “We know customers in the U.K. are seeking high-quality natural and organic products. As we plan for the future, we are actively looking at this market and opportunities to bring Whole Foods Market to more customers there,” she said.
King’s Road Store Highlights
Spanning 21,800 square feet, the new Whole Foods Market location will officially open at 9:00 a.m. on launch day, with regular operating hours from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. The store will showcase exclusive products available only at the King’s Road location, along with a variety of local brands from London and across England. Customers can expect favorite Whole Foods Market offerings such as hot food and salad bars, as well as a pizzeria serving made-in-house pizza.
Key features of the King’s Road store include:
- Seafood Department: A full-service counter offering only sustainable wild-caught or Responsibly Farmed seafood. Fresh catches, including dover sole and Shetland scallops, will be available four days per week.
- Produce Section: A variety of certified organic and conventional fresh produce, including local items such as Merit Mushrooms and Wye Valley asparagus from Mudwalls. The store will also feature an exclusive selection of Crate-to-Plate herbs and lettuce, which utilize 95% less water than traditional farming and are grown without pesticides or herbicides.
- Cheese & Specialty Foods: A dedicated department celebrating artisan producers, featuring a curated selection of cheeses from Neal’s Yard Dairy, European varieties from Mons, and exclusive Whole Foods Market Goudas. Trained cheesemongers will be on hand to provide recommendations.
- Grocery Aisles: The grocery section will include exclusive products from brands such as XOXO, Joe & Seph’s, Old Spike Roastery, Good Phats, and Ice Cream Union. More than 80 local brands will be represented.
- Meat Counter: A full-service meat counter where butchers will custom-cut steaks and poultry. Customers can choose from dry-aged beef, house-marinated meats, Ashdale Farm beef, and locally sourced pork from Dingley Dell.
- Beverages: An extensive selection of over 400 wines and local beers, including an exclusive offering from Battersea-based Mondo Brewing. A unique rosé wine from Mirabeau, recognized for its Regenerative Organic Certified and Certified Regenerative status, will be featured.
- Prepared Foods: A robust selection of hot foods, a salad bar with a new condiment station, and fresh sushi made daily by Genji Sushi. The pizzeria will feature an exclusive flavor curated by a King’s Road Team Member.
- Coffee Bar: A full-service coffee bar offering a variety of roasts, seasonal beverages, and tea options.
- Bakery: Daily fresh bread, Whole Foods Market’s popular Berry Chantilly Cake, brown butter cookies, and an assortment of special diet items such as vegan brownies and gluten-free baked goods. Store exclusives include floral-inspired decorated cupcakes and party cakes, as well as offerings from Celtic Bakers and Pourtoi.
- Wellness & Beauty: A diverse selection of wellness, beauty, and lifestyle products, including exclusive offerings such as the Chelsea candle by Toorak and products from Ayeya Soaps. The store will also feature a limited-edition Whole Foods Market beauty bag.
Whole Foods Market upholds strict Quality Standards for all its food products, prohibiting the use of hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup, and more than 300 artificial ingredients. Additionally, all beauty and body care products must meet Whole Foods Market’s rigorous body care standards, which ban over 240 commonly used ingredients, including phthalates, parabens, and microbeads.
Grand Opening Events
Opening day at Whole Foods Market King’s Road will feature a host of special activities for customers. The first 200 visitors will receive a custom Whole Foods Market tote bag and a Secret Saver coupon with money-off offers. Complimentary coffee from Old Spike and morning snacks from Whole Foods Market suppliers will also be available for attendees.
As part of its commitment to supporting the local community, Whole Foods Market will make a food donation to The Felix Project, a charity dedicated to rescuing and redistributing surplus food to those in need. The donation is part of Whole Foods Market’s ongoing Nourishing Our Neighbourhoods Program. Additionally, the company is contributing funds to community-based organizations in the Chelsea area, including the Kensington & Chelsea Foundation.
With its focus on sustainability, quality, and community engagement, Whole Foods Market’s expansion into King’s Road marks a major milestone in its international growth strategy. The new store will offer Londoners a premier grocery shopping experience that aligns with Whole Foods Market’s commitment to nourishing people and the planet. As the retailer continues its growth outside the U.S., customers in the U.K. can look forward to more opportunities to access Whole Foods Market’s high-quality offerings in the years to come.
