FRESH COMPETITION
Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market opens its doors in Bridgeville, Pleasant Hills
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A grocer specializing in organic items opened its doors Wednesday in Bridgeville and Pleasant Hills.
Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market is branching out from its Midwest base to the Pittsburgh area. The Illinois-based chain also plans to eventually open a store north of the city in Cranberry, a company spokesman said.
“We look for markets that have a demand and willingness to eat healthier,” said Mark Doiron, chief merchandising and marketing officer. “We look at areas that may have some organic, natural offerings, but we find that what’s offered is expensive. We want to make it more affordable.”
Each location employs 90 to 120 workers, he said.
Demand for natural and organic products continues to grow nationally. In 2017, Americans spent nearly $50 billion on organic products, a category that has averaged double-digit growth over the lastfive years, according to the OrganicTrade Association.
That demand has created a competitive space, as more retailers — from small, independent shops to retail giant Walmart — try for a slice of the USDA organic, non-GMO pie.
Bloomberg Intelligence noted in December that the retailers with the largest share of organic product sales in the U.S. included Whole Foods, Kroger and Costco, which are facing increased competition from Walmart and Target.
Fresh Thyme hopes to bring a smaller format store — each location averages about 28,000 to 30,000 square feet — that features produce from local farmers and merchants. The layout of each store also is meant to spotlight the fruit and vegetable selection, Mr. Doiron said.
Fresh Thyme has about 70 stores in states throughout the Midwest, including Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kentucky, Illinois and Iowa.
“When you walk into that store, the center is low profile so the customer can see everything,” Mr. Doiron said. “And produce is the center, rather than other grocery.”
He said about 25 percent of the grocer’s sales are produce items.
“It’s meant to be like a farmer’s market every day of the week,” Mr. Doiron said.