Natural Grocers wins key retail award as it looks to grow in 2026

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Natural Grocers (NGVC [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/NGVC]) was named 2025 Retailer of the Year by Store Brands. The media brand said the award recognizes the grocer's expansion of its private-label products while staying true to its mission of offering healthy, high-quality items at its signature "Always Affordable" price.

"Throughout 2025, the retailer introduced a wide range of new products across multiple categories under the Natural Grocers brand. From organic household cleaners and organic egg pasta to luxury skincare items and seasonal favorites, each new private-label item was developed with the company's rigorous quality and wellness standards in mind, including attributes such as non-GMO, hormone- and antibiotic-free, pasture-based, cruelty-free and environmentally responsible sourcing, depending on the product category," highlighted Store Brands.

Looking ahead to 2026, Natural Grocers (NGVC [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/NGVC]) plans to further expand its private-label selection, focusing on new offerings in dairy, body care, and frozen foods. The products will be available at each of Natural Grocers' (NGVC [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/NGVC]) 168 stores spread across 21 states, as well as new locations opening in the upcoming calendar year. For fiscal year 2026, the company expects to open 6 to 8 new stores, relocate or remodel 2 to 3 existing stores, achieve daily average comparable store sales growth between 1.5% and 4%, achieve diluted earnings per share between $2.00 and $2.15, and direct $50 million to $55 million towards capital expenditures to support growth initiatives. "Our current expectation is that sales comps will be at the low end of our outlook range in the first half of the year as we cycle relatively strong comps in the prior year while increasing slightly in the second half of the year as we cycle lower comps," noted CFO Richard Hallé on the third-quarter earnings conference call.

Shares of Natural Grocers (NGVC [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/NGVC]) trade near the bottom end of their 52-week range after shedding 30% over the last six months.

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