Publix Confirms Knoxville Expansion

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets here on Wednesday confirmed plans to enter the Knoxville, Tenn., market. The first Publix location in the market, a 56,000-square-foot store at the Northshore Town Center, is scheduled to open as soon as the third quarter of 2012, Publix said in a statement.

Publix has operated stores in Tennessee since 2002. Observers have long suspected the chain would look to Knoxville for further growth.

Leading chains in Knoxville include Food City, Kroger and Ingles Markets. Publix said it would make further announcements for Knoxville-area stores when sites are confirmed.