ORLANDO, Fla. — Publix is expanding beyond the seven states where it currently operates to Kentucky.
A 55,702-square-foot store in Lousiville is expected to open during the fourth quarter of 2023, according to a news release revealing the company had signed a lease there.
The Lakeland-based grocer has more than 1,280 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
“Moving into Kentucky is a natural progression for our company, and we are excited to serve and be a part of this vibrant community,” CEO Todd Jones said in the release.
The Kentucky store will also have an adjacent Publix Liquors, the first outside Florida.
The release added Publix is “looking forward to growing within the commonwealth and in its current operating area.”
In Orlando, Publix is expected to open a new store in the Packing District development just northwest of downtown Orlando. It also opened a location this year in a former Lucky’s Market on Orange Avenue south of downtown Orlando and just south of another of its stores.
The employee-owned company’s sales in the quarter ending June 26 were $11.8 billion, up from $11.4 billion the year before.