Reports out of Richmond and the area around the nation's capital tell the same story: Publix is looking to move into Virginia in a big way, and the employee-owned grocery chain is not looking to hide the fact.
Last month, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that Publix had signed a lease for a 49,000-square-foot store in Henrico County with plans to open the location at some point during 2018.
Publix will be making its way into the area at the same time that Ahold is looking to sell 19 Martin's Food Markets in the Richmond market. The decision to sell is a preemptive move by Ahold to try and gain approval for its proposed merger with Delhaize, which operates Food Lion stores in the area. While Publix prefers to pursue growth organically based on past history, several reports have suggested that the company may be considering a bid for some of the Martin's properties to expedite its entry into the region.
According to the Washington Business Journal, Publix has hired a broker in northern Virginia to scout for locations in the region around the nation's capital. As it migrates north from its Florida base into the Washington, DC area, Publix may find itself greeted by Wegmans, which has been expanding down the coast from its Rochester, NY home.
- Publix 'looking aggressively to grow' in Richmond market as it plans first store in Henrico - Richmond Times-Dispatch
- Martin's reportedly selling its 19 stores in the Richmond area as part of merger - Richmond Times-Dispatch
- Publix making first push into Greater Washington - Washington Business Journal