Publix challenging Kroger with expansion into Northern Kentucky. What we know

C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·2 min read

Publix is nearly synonymous with Florida. If you're visiting the Sunshine State, you're rarely more than an hour or so away from groceries, a box of hot fried chicken or a meatball sub.

But the popular grocery chain is spread out across the southeast United States, with locations in Alabama, Georgia, both Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia. And the Florida-based retailer is moving into Kentucky, with an eye on taking on Cincinnati-based supermarket giant Kroger.

Where is Publix opening in Kentucky?

Publix has confirmed plans to open a nearly 56,000-square-foot store in Boone County in Northern Kentucky just across the river from Ohio and Kroger's corporate headquarters. That could be a direct challenge to Kroger, which dominates that market, taking in nearly half the area's $7.1 billion in grocery sales. The location, which would be as far north as Publix has spread yet, is slated to open in 2025.

Publix also has announced plans to open three locations in Louisville and two in Lexington, scheduled to open in the next year. Three unnamed grocery stores, all between 48,387 and 56,000 square feet, have been proposed in Cold Spring, Independence, and at a site that spans into Florence and Union, although those have not been confirmed.

"While we are proud to continue our growth across the Bluegrass State and share the Publix difference with more Kentuckians, we do not currently have any other plans to share at this time," Publix spokesman Jared Glover previously told The Enquirer.

Publix Super Markets: We're coming to NKY in 2025

What is Publix?

Publix Supermarkets, founded in Winter Haven in 1930, is the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. and one of the country's 10 highest-volume supermarket chains, employing over 250,000 people.

For the 10th year in a row, Publix was named to Fortune's 2023 Best Workplaces in Retail list. It's No. 1 in supermarkets on Newsweek's 2024 America's Best Customer Service list (6th year in a row). For five years in a row, it's been on Forbes' Best-In-State Employer list. Even their commercials are popular. If you're running out to get groceries in Florida, the odds are good you're heading to Publix.

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What 7 states in Publix in?

According to the company's corporate site:

  • Florida: 861 stores, 7 distribution centers, 3 manufacturing facilities

  • Georgia: 209 stores, 1 distribution center, 2 manufacturing facilities

  • Alabama: 89 stores, 1 distribution center

  • South Carolina: 69 stores

  • Tennessee: 57 stores

  • North Carolina: 54 stores, 1 distribution center

  • Virginia: 19 stores

When did Publix leave Florida?

According to Publix, the company opened its first store outside Florida with a location in Savannah, Georgia in 1991.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Publix opening new stores, with first Kentucky presence over 2 years