DELRAY BEACH, FL - While long-time rivals Kroger and Publix have been duking it out over market share across the country, the Cincinnati-based grocer is making a bold move and taking the battle to Publix’s home turf and current stomping grounds —Florida. Kroger is officially moving into the Sunshine State after purchasing a 74,000-sqaure-foot shopping center in Delray Beach, Florida, for $15 million, according to property records as reported by myPalmBeachPost.

And, instead of easing into the new market, Kroger is throwing caution to the wind and sidling right on up to its competitor, purchasing a location at the same intersection as a Publix store. Specifically, Kroger will be moving onto the southwest corner of Military Trail and Atlantic Avenue, while Publix currently operates a location on the northeast corner of that same intersection.

According to the news source, Kroger used to operate locations in Florida in the 1980s, but the company then left the market after selling its stores in 1988. Thus, Kroger’s latest acquisition marks its first appearance in Florida in over thirty years and bumps its expansive national network up from 35 states to 36.

While Publix reigns supreme in the Florida market— with 787 supermarkets located around the state, which is more than competitors like Winn-Dixie, Whole Foods Market, and Trader Joe’s—will Kroger bump its competitor off the throne? AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the chess match that is the retail sector.

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