LAKELAND, FL – In an effort to anticipate consumers’ shifting needs in an increasingly competitive grocery market, Publix Super Markets is reportedly introducing a new small-format store—with a focus on delivery services.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Publix has introduced plans for a less-than-30,000-square-foot store in Longwood, Florida. Longwood Economic Development Manager Tom Krueger told the Sentinel that the new store format will be “a mix” between a traditional Publix location and a GreenWise—Publix’s small-format, fresh-focused banner.

Krueger also described the new store as “something built around delivery because the way the market is changing.” Publix is reportedly in talks with a local church to purchase a 4.2-acre parcel of land for the new project, though the church did not respond to the Sentinel’s requests for a comment.

The 30,000-square-foot format will measure roughly half the size of a traditional Publix supermarket.

News of the new format follows accolades from Fortune magazine; the business publication awarded Publix with the top spot on the company’s annual list of the World’s Most Admired Companies in the food and drug stores industry category.

Will Publix continue to expand into the grocery delivery game—with new store formats that function as grocery fulfillment centers as much as traditional stores? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.

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