Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM) is among the 20 Best Investments in 2026. Goldman Sachs Notes Slower-Than-Expected Early-Year Comps for Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM) The seventh stock on our list of best investments is Sprout Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM). TheFly reported on February 20 that Goldman Sachs lowered its price target on SFM to $111 from $130 and kept a Buy rating. Despite falling short on gross margins, the company's fourth-quarter results surpassed comparable-store sales ...

Gen Zers jaded by sky-high tuition costs and workers wanting to ditch their unfulfilling desk jobs are turning to blue-collar jobs as their next professional adventure. And now, some artisan businesses like Rolex are welcoming them to the trades with open arms. The luxury-watch manufacturer launched its Watchmaking Training Center in 2023, and in the years since has trained dozens in the art of making timepieces. The program emerged from a haunting truth: The craft was dying out, with fewer than 2,000 pro ...

For decades, small businesses have shaped communities' identities, building their distinct character. Independent grocery stores, with local produce and personalized service, offered a sense of connection that national chains often could not replicate. Today, however, that landscape is changing. Independent grocers are closing at a rapid pace and being taken over by larger retailers aiming to expand their reach. Retail giants such as Walmart, Costco, Kroger, and Albertsons continue to dominate the indus ...

South African retailer SPAR Group has appointed its chief financial officer (CFO), Reeza Isaacs, as chief executive officer (CEO), effective 1 March. The appointment followed the resignation of Angelo Swartz after about 16 months in the role. Swartz assumed the CEO role in October 2023 and led efforts to streamline operations, reduce debt and reinforce the balance sheet. These priorities followed a problematic SAP implementation and broader financial strain facing the group. During his tenure, the Dur ...

This story was originally published on Grocery Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Grocery Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Sprouts Farmers Market announced on Thursday two key C-suite executive changes, naming Amanda Rassi as its first chief customer officer and Don Clark as chief merchandising officer.  Rassi is stepping into the newly created role at the company, while Clark’s appointment follows the retirement of Scott Neal, the specialty grocer’s current chief merchand ...

The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) is included among the 14 Best Warren Buffett Dividend Stocks to Buy. Kroger (KR) Navigates Thin Margins and Sluggish Industry Growth A CNBC report published on February 5 noted that The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR)’s valuation remains relatively low, with the stock trading at 12.7x forward earnings. That is roughly half the multiple of the S&P 500, although it still ranks among the higher valuations within the grocery sector. The industry average stands at about 11.3x. The lower multiple ...

This story was originally published on Grocery Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Grocery Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: The Giant Company announced Thursday that it has agreed to acquire two family-owned supermarkets in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed. The Ahold Delhaize-owned grocer plans to temporarily close and update the stores, which are located in Everett and Saxton, Pennsylvania. The Giant Company’s decisio ...

In today’s CEO Daily: Fortune’s Phil Wahba reports on the historic reshuffle atop the Fortune 500. The big leadership story: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says AI super intelligence could someday do his job. The markets: Mostly up, even as investors monitor mounting U.S.-Iran tensions. Plus: All the news and watercooler chat from Fortune. Good morning. There is a new top dog in Corporate America. Walmart, long the largest U.S. company by revenue and No. 1 on the Fortune 500, was eclipsed for the first time ...

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Core Insights - Sprouts Farmers Market reported strong fiscal 2025 results with significant sales and earnings growth, but anticipates challenges in 2026 due to tougher comparisons and changing consumer behavior [4][6][10] Financial Performance - For fiscal 2025, total sales increased nearly 14% to $8.8 billion, driven by a 7.3% growth in comparable store sales and strong performance from new stores [2][6] - Net income for the year was $524 million, with diluted EPS rising 42% to $5.31 [1][6] - Gross margin improved to 38.8%, up 70 basis points year over year, attributed to better inventory management and sales leverage [2][6] Q4 Performance - In Q4, total sales reached $2.1 billion, an 8% increase year over year, with comparable store sales up 1.6% [6][7] - Traffic was slightly negative, indicating a shift towards value-focused shopping among consumers [6][9] - E-commerce sales grew 15%, representing about 15.5% of total quarterly sales [7] 2026 Outlook - Management expects total sales growth of 4.5% to 6.5% for 2026, with comparable store sales projected between -1% and +1% [5][13] - A 53rd week in fiscal 2026 is expected to add approximately $200 million in sales and $0.21 to EPS [5][12] - The company plans to open at least 40 new stores in 2026, with a focus on backloading openings to the second half of the year [15] Strategic Initiatives - Sprouts is enhancing its loyalty program and self-distribution efforts, which are expected to improve service levels and product freshness [3][15] - The company is focusing on affordability by adjusting product assortments and pricing strategies to meet customer needs [18] - Organic sales mix exceeded 30% of total sales by the end of 2025, reflecting ongoing product innovation [17] Shareholder Returns - In 2025, Sprouts generated $716 million in operating cash flow and returned $472 million through share repurchases [19] - For 2026, the company plans to spend at least $300 million on stock repurchases, having already deployed $100 million year to date [19]