Mapping Publix’s growth throughout the Southeast (2024)

Across the country, regional grocers are watching closely as Aldi plots several hundred new stores and Kroger and Albertsons try to create a supermarket behemoth that could challenge them in markets across the U.S.

So far, Publix Super Markets doesn’t seem phased. The regional powerhouse opened 45 stores and remodeled 120 locations throughout the Southeast in 2023. It then opened around a dozen more locations in the first three months of 2024.

That remodeling and expansion drive has become increasingly costly for Publix. The grocer’s capital expenditures for 2023 totaled $2 billion, according to its annual Securities and Exchange Commission filing, up from $1.8 billion in 2022. This year, the chain estimates it will spend approximately $2.5 billion.

But this rapid growth and evolution reflects Publix’s confidence in its business model, which centers on customer service and a one-stop shopping experience that encompasses a wide range of groceries as well as meals. Publix’s footprint in Florida consists of nearly 900 stores, with a majority including signature offerings like its pharmacies, Club Publix loyalty program and its famous Pub Subs. The regional grocer is also testing a new store prototype and adding special liquor stores at many of its stores.

Aldi plans to rebrand and remodel a considerable number of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket locations that it recently acquired, which poses a significant threat to Publix. Publix has also been dealing with Kroger's expansion into Florida's e-commerce market.

But Publix is rising to meet these challenges through its expansion and store evolution efforts. Publix, which has ventured deep into Kroger’s domain, last fall announced plans to open a store in the greater Cincinnati area, where Kroger is headquartered.

Publix’s store openings often fly under the radar, but with so much movement in the Southeast, it would be wise for industry executives to keep track of the grocer’s next moves — because Publix shows no signs of slowing down.

Publix’s growing empire

With 865 locations in the Sunshine State, Publix is Florida’s biggest grocer,outnumbered only by Dollar General in store count. Out of the 45 locations Publix opened in 2023, half were located in Florida.

Despite Publix’s commanding presence, other grocers have plotted their expansion plans in Florida, seeking to capitalize on the state’s growing population.

For instance, Florida is a cornerstone in Sprouts Farmers Market’s ongoing expansion efforts, which included adding nine stores in the state last year. But while Sprouts’ expansion across Florida remained primarily along the coast, Publix covered markets the specialty grocer has yet to reach — including those located near northern cities like Tallahassee and in the state’s central region.

The rest of Publix’s 2023 store openings were scattered throughout Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia — states the grocer already operated in.

While not part of its 2023 expansion, Publix officially opened its first Kentucky storefront in January after announcing plans to do so in 2021.

Inside the stores

Practically all of the grocer’s 45 opened stores in 2023 included departments that stretch beyond traditional grocery to cater to its customers’ evolving tastes and needs. In store opening announcements listed on its website, Publix specifically called attention to its Publix Pharmacy and Publix Liquors offerings.

While other grocers have exited the pharmacy business, Publix has continued to expand its operations. The majority of stores the company opened last year include a pharmacy.

Publix Liquors locations, meanwhile, are separate shops that offer a wide range of beer, wine and spirits. The brand debuted in 2003 and now includes more than 300 shops. All but one of these stores — a Publix Liquors that’s adjacent to the recently opened Louisville, Kentucky, store — are located in Florida.

Publix is also rolling out a new store prototype that offers a larger selection of foodservice items, upstairs and outdoor seating, and an adjacent Publix Liquors. The new store format follows Publix shuttering its GreenWise Market banner after determining customers wanted a more traditional shopping experience with touches from the specialty banner.

The prototype seems to be hitting that mark while also featuring an in-house burrito bar, an olive bar and a full-service pharmacy with a drive-thru.

Publix opened the first of this prototype in early 2023 in Tampa, Florida, and then brought it to its Louisville, Kentucky, location. In February, a third location of this prototype opened in Wesley Chapel, Florida.