Publix Expands in Lexington with the Debut of Their 2nd Store

In a move to strengthen its market presence in the southeastern United States, Publix Super Markets has opened a new store in Lexington, Kentucky, at the Fountains at Palomar development. This expansion is part of the company's ongoing growth strategy, which aims to modernize and expand its footprint across eight states by 2025.

The new Publix store offers a wide variety of products, including locally-sourced and artisan items, and features Publix's signature offerings such as chicken tenders, Pub Subs, made-to-order burritos, nachos, and bows. Customers can start their shopping trip at the Pours café, which offers coffee, drinks, acai bowls, and smoothies.

The store also includes a drive-thru pharmacy and offers Instacart-powered delivery, making shopping more convenient for customers. Jared Glover, media relations manager at Publix, stated, "We are excited to bring our unique shopping experience to the Lexington community and provide them with the quality products and services they have come to expect from Publix."

Publix Super Markets reported a 5.1% year-over-year sales increase and a 4% gain in comps during the latest quarter ending March 29. The company's robust financial performance is evident, with over $54.9 billion in sales in 2024. Approximately 30% of sales in 2024 came from private label brands, supporting margin growth and differentiation in product offerings.

The expansion strategy emphasizes not only increasing the number of locations but also improving existing stores through renovations and introducing experiential retail elements to enhance the shopping experience. Publix targets markets where it already has a foothold to deepen penetration while also entering less saturated states with a few carefully located new stores.

Publix is ranked No. 10 on Progressive Grocer's 2025 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America. The company, which is employee-owned, has 255,000-plus associates and more than 1,300 supermarkets across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky.

In addition to the new store in Lexington, Publix has opened new locations in Gainesville, Ga., Charlotte, N.C., Rolesville, N.C., and Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., in the past month. The company's aggressive expansion strategy is focused on the southeastern United States, where it already has a strong market presence. Publix plans to strengthen and modernize its footprint across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky by 2025.

[References] [1] Publix Super Markets. (2023). Publix Announces Southeastern U.S. Expansion Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.publix.com/about-us/news/publix-announces-southeastern-u-s-expansion-strategy/ [2] Progressive Grocer. (2025). Top Food and Consumables Retailers in North America. Retrieved from https://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-food-consumables-retailers-north-america [3] Publix Super Markets. (2024). Publix 2024 Annual Report. Retrieved from https://www.publix.com/about-us/investor-relations/annual-reports/ [4] Instacart. (2023). Instacart Partners with Publix Super Markets. Retrieved from https://www.instacart.com/news/instacart-partners-with-publix-super-markets [5] Publix Super Markets. (2023). Alabama Stores Feature Enhanced Offerings. Retrieved from https://www.publix.com/about-us/news/alabama-stores-feature-enhanced-offerings/ [6] Publix Super Markets. (2023). Publix Named One of Progressive Grocer's Retailers of the Century. Retrieved from https://www.publix.com/about-us/news/publix-named-one-of-progressive-grocer-s-retailers-of-the-century/

The new Publix store in Lexington, Kentucky, is part of the company's industry-leading expansion strategy, aiming to modernize and grow its retail footprint across eight states by 2025.
Publix Super Markets, a top food-and-drink retailer in North America, has opened new stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky, with a focus on strengthening its market presence in the southeastern United States.
The new store offers a diverse range of products, including locally-sourced and artisan items, home-and-garden essentials, and a variety of food-and-drink options like Pours café, featuring coffee, drinks, acai bowls, and smoothies.
With a solid financial performance, Publix continues to invest in business growth, targeting markets where it already has a presence to deepen penetration, while also entering new, less saturated states with thoughtfully located stores.