Publix is heading into Kroger country with an expansion to Kentucky this year, but industry experts say they don’t see the Florida grocery giant expanding far beyond the Southeast anytime soon.
Lakeland, Florida-based Publix’s growth into its eighth state will start with a Louisville store expected to be completed during the last part of this year. The company has revealed it is opening three Louisville locations as well as one in Lexington.
In Kentucky, Publix will face competition from Kroger, which has 104 stores in 55 cities in the Bluegrass State. Iowa-based grocer Hy-Vee has also announced an expansion there, said Amanda Lai, a director at Chicago-based retail consulting firm McMillanDoolittle. Her specialties include grocery stores.
