Elk Grove Grocery Store Sprouts New Name

Shoppers may not have even noticed the local Henry’s Farmers Market got a new name this week. The store converted to a Sprouts Farmers Market on Wednesday, following an April merger between the two companies.

“Everything looks the same, it’s the same layout, same products on the shelves,” said Ofelia Sanchez of Elk Grove, as she pushed her cart out of Sprouts Market, 8211 Laguna Blvd. “Someone just told me it had changed names, because I didn’t even notice it.”

The two companies were founded separately by the Boney Family in San Diego, and operated under separate ownership for a decade, before they combined forces under majority ownership and sponsorship of Apollo Management, a private equity firm.

Both Sprouts and Henry’s were entries in the fast-growing natural and specialty grocery sector. They both specialize in produce, especially organic, along with bulk foods, natural meats and seafood, vitamins and gluten-free products.

Doug Sanders, president of Sprouts, noted the similarities between the two stores, but said it would still take months to fully merge them. He said new products will begin showing up on store shelves over time, and an employee uniform change is set for September.

Kim Rockley, a Sprouts spokesperson, said the merger is good news for shoppers.

“It will bring a greater variety of fresh, interesting products to your store,” she said. “Prices may even get better, as our combined buying power should allow us to find some efficiencies in purchasing and distribution.”

Sanchez said she’s been shopping at Henry’s since it opened in August 2010, and likes that the store offers products from local growers and packers.

“The produce is fresh, it’s a good price and I like their honey,” she said. “My husband loves their muffins. You can find lots of local stuff. I’m a big fan of Henrys. Well, of Sprouts now.”

Rockley said the merger will yield more stores and more job opportunities, and improved operations, as the new Sprouts identifies and incorporates best management practices from each company.

The merger means Sprouts, based in Phoenix, will operate more than 100 stores in four states, with more than 7,000 employees and estimated revenues of more than $1 billion.

In the Sacramento area, Sprouts opened a store in Roseville in April, and is planning another in Citrus Heights.