Publix buys its way into the Richmond market

Publix is not generally known for acquiring properties from other grocers and moving into a new market. In the case of the Richmond, VA, the employee-owned business is going a little off script and purchasing 10 Martin’s Food Markets from Ahold, which is selling off stores in the area as it pursues its merger with Delhaize. In February, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Publix had signed a lease for a 49,000-square-foot store in Henrico County scheduled to open in 2018. With the stores acquired from Ahold, the paper reports that Publix intends to close the locations “on a rolling basis,” remodel them, hire employees and reopen. “Acquiring these 10 locations aligns with Publix’s aggressive growth plan for the commonwealth of Virginia,” said Todd Jones, CEO and president of Publix, in a statement. “We are looking forward to providing Virginians with the high-quality service and products our customers have come to expect and have earned us recognition throughout the industry.”

• Publix Announces Further Expansion Into Virginia – Publix Super Markets Inc.
• Will Publix conquer Virginia – RetailWire
• Publix buying 10 Martin’s stores; remaining nine stores to remain open initially – Richmond Times-Dispatch