Publix reopens in Ocala, Florida

Publix Super Markets reopened its Ocala, Florida, location on Thursday at the Churchill Square.

“We are excited to bring another Publix to our customers in Ocala,” said Hannah Herring, Publix media relations manager.

The 48,387-square-foot store is part of the retailer’s redesign and store remodel initiative.

Located at 303 SE 17th Street, shoppers gathered in line before the grand opening.

“We look forward to welcoming new and existing customers and providing them with premier service and quality products,” Herring said.

Located in Marion County in north Florida, the Ocala store will offer departments for grocery, dairy, frozen food, seafood, meat and fresh produce, as well as a full-service bakery and pharmacy. The store features an adjacent Publix Liquors as well.

The new Publix will also offer contactless pay options, grocery delivery via Instacart and pharmacy delivery.

Earlier this month, the Florida-based grocery retailer reported its second-quarter results, which saw net earnings up nearly 75%. The employee-owned grocer reported net earnings for the quarter ended July 1 were $1.1 billion, compared to $628 million in 2022.

Publix is headquartered in Lakeland, Florida, and according to a local media report, the company is looking to “create a ‘technology campus’ for its information technology workers.”

Publix did not immediately respond to a WGB request for comment regarding the technology expansion.

Publix is one of the country's largest employee-owned grocers, with more than 250,000 associates on its payroll. The retailer operates 1,347 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.