There’s a Reason Publix Is Opening Near Kroger in Owensboro

I see the construction at the new Publix in Owensboro in Gateway Commons quite frequently; the west side store, not so much. It's a big tease for everyone looking forward to exploring what it has to offer. And both Publix stores will be within close proximity to Kroger. On the east side, that would be the all-new Kroger Marketplace.

Publix vs. Kroger

I learned about the Gateway Commons Publix location before I heard about the one next to the west side Kroger. That would make anyone naturally curious as to why that deliberate move was made. Well, no less than the Wall Street Journal has taken notice and has labeled Kentucky the "newest front in America's supermarket war." You'll need to cough up a fee to read the article; I hit a paywall, and you might, too. But a chunk of the story was published on Reddit.

Publix in Kentucky

With the announcement of three new stores coming to Kentucky, I wanted to check to see if the placement of those stores in close proximity to Kroger locations was pointed, and it certainly is. But that will only make shoppers happy, and that's what retail wants.

The first Kentucky Publix opened in Boone County, near Cincinnati, in 2024. It was taking aim at Kroger, which is headquartered in the Queen City, and it explained how it would compete with the supermarket super-chain.

Owensboro Publix

Upon that Publix debut, Kroger immediately slashed prices in nearby stores, according to MSN, which also points out that both chains are competing against the "elephant in the room," AKA Walmart, and Aldi, which had a direct effect on nearby prices when it's Owensboro store opened in 2016. Meijer and neighboring Walmart quickly reduced their prices.

Whether or not anyone believes we need this many supermarkets in a county of just over 100,000 people, we're getting them. I think it's an exciting, but not as exciting as lower prices.